Students in the CSU Energy Club and Student Sustainability Center recently volunteered to help GRID Alternatives and Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association develop a 2-megawatt solar array at Coyote Ridge in south Fort Collins in September. 

The organizations are helping develop the United States’ largest low-income community solar project aimed at lowering the electricity bills of qualifying low-income residents, affordable housing providers and nonprofit organizations.

CSU’s Student Sustainability Center collaborates with the campus community to raise awareness about opportunities for positive environmental impact.

“Seeing so many CSU students from a variety of majors organize together to make a difference in the community was inspiring,” said Emily Taylor, director of the Student Sustainability Center. “This volunteer project made me proud to be a part of these two student groups.”

The Energy Club and Student Sustainability Center worked together on two weekends in September, and gained hands-on experience in the development of a solar array.

“I was part of the second day SSC members that helped,” said Michael Quinn, a junior in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and a member of the Student Sustainability Center. “We were able to complete the final section of the array during our time there.”

In total there were 50 volunteers, including Eco Leaders from CSU and students from the Colorado School of Mines.