Solar Project Approved for CoorsTek, But Local Benefits Unclear
Weld County commissioners approved a 10.4-megawatt solar project near Greeley that will supply 40% of CoorsTek's Colorado electricity. But the arrangement—where a Denver developer owns arrays on local farmland while a Golden company captures the power and credits—raises questions about how much economic benefit stays in the county.
The project marks an early test of whether industrial-scale, off-site solar built on Weld County farmland delivers meaningful local economic and land-use benefits or primarily serves metro-area corporate users.
The Weld County Planning Commission approved three co-located solar arrays with a combined capacity of 10.4 megawatts, located in Greeley approximately 50 miles northeast of Denver. Denver-based Pivot Energy and Golden-based CoorsTek, a global leader in technical ceramics, have a 20-year agreement under which Pivot will develop, own, and operate the project.
Once operational, the project will generate roughly 20 million kilowatt-hours annually, covering about 40% of CoorsTek's electricity usage at six Colorado facilities.
Under off-site net metering, CoorsTek receives utility bill credits for the energy produced at no upfront cost and no operations burden. It retains 100% of renewable energy credits, allowing it to claim environmental benefits toward its emissions-reduction goals.
"This partnership with Pivot Energy reflects our commitment to a more resilient and sustainable future for CoorsTek and our communities," said Dara Ward, Director of Sustainability for CoorsTek. "By securing clean energy and managing electricity costs, these projects meaningfully reduce our environmental footprint in Colorado."
Mat Elmore, Senior Vice President of Strategic Accounts at Pivot Energy, said the company "applauds the Weld County Planning Commissioners for approving the construction of this solar project and recognizing the value it brings to Weld County and the community." He added that the agreement "highlights how Colorado-based companies can work together to deliver tangible economic value, lower electricity costs, support local businesses, and provide meaningful community impact."
Publicly available documents—the press release and Planning Commission agenda excerpts—do not include specific figures for local tax revenue, job creation, or quantified community benefits to verify those claims.
The project represents a broader trend toward off-site, developer-owned solar arrays where metro-area institutions lock in power from rural sites via long-term contracts. This ranks among the largest industrial-scale off-site solar projects proposed in Weld County and may set expectations for how much benefit stays local.
Construction begins in the second half of 2026, with commercial operation expected in summer 2027. The solar arrays will utilize American-made solar panels, tying local land use to a domestic manufacturing supply chain.