The idea of creating a community “solar garden” near Durango is beginning to take root. The possibility for a 4 to 5 megawatt operation on Department of Energy land in Ridges Basin is the topic of La Plata Electric Association’s Renewable Energy Generation meeting this Thurs., Aug. 11, from 1-2 p.m. The meeting takes place in the multipurpose room at LPEA headquarters, 45 Stewart St., in Bodo Park, and will include representatives from the DOE.

Proposed for the 121-acre tailing pile atop Smelter Mountain, the site recently underwent an environmental assessment. The study looked at the possible impacts of installing a photovoltaic array on top of about 20 acres of tailings, which are buried deep underground. At the meeting representatives will discuss the EA findings, which indicate the viability of the solar garden, as well as the “next steps.”

It is estimated that the site could provide enough power for about 600 homes.

 “In other sites similar to this, (the DOE) has worked with communities to install large solar photovoltaic systems, and we have been following their exploration of using their site here in Durango to do something similar,” said Mark Schwantes, LPEA manager of corporate services.

The site’s proximity to existing transmission lines could help facilitate an interconnection with the LPEA system, something  LPEA would be interested in, said Greg Munro, LPEA CEO. He noted, however, that the coop is not necessarily interested in building the project but would “work closely with the solar developer” to create a win-win situation for all involved. “It’s too soon to speculate about the final project,” said Munro. “No matter the outcome, however, LPEA will be actively involved.”

LPEA’s quarterly Renewable Energy Generation meetings were established in February 2010 in response to the growing interest in local renewable projects. To learn more, visit www.lpea.coop or call 382-7170.

– Missy Votel