By Victoria Graham,
As Colorado businesses face rising energy costs, increasing grid demand, and growing reliability concerns, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) from Sandbox+ Solar, paired with solar, offer a way to improve energy independence and resilience.
Delivering a positive ROI, renewable energy allows your business to increase its self-reliance by powering your operations on-site. Plus, with a correctly sized battery system, you can store excess energy your solar panels produce to utilize that energy when the grid goes dark.
No more waiting around for operations to restart. No more worrying about a project stopping midway through production. Investing in your business’s energy infrastructure can give you enhanced energy independence while being connected to the grid.
The Current Energy Pressures
Colorado communities continue to feel the pressure of urban development. Residential neighborhoods popping up along I-25 and data center proposals in commercial areas are contributing to continued pressure on the energy grid across Colorado.
These pressures are intangible until the lights turn off due to Xcel Energy’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) from increasing wildfire risks and other storm-related grid outages. Regardless of your industry, your business operations could come to a halt without the right energy infrastructure in place.
Additionally, the Public Utilities Commission just approved a rate increase in Xcel Energy territory taking effect at year-end, leaving customers paying roughly $7 more on their monthly energy bill; Black Hills Energy awaits approval from the PUC that could raise energy bills by about $26.52 before any proposed refund.
With data centers and new urban growth across most of our state, the question remains: “How do we consistently and reliably power our communities and businesses?” Battery energy storage systems offer the ideal solution.
Why Battery Energy Storage Systems?
- Peak Shaving: Battery systems can detect when a facility’s power spikes; when this occurs, the battery will discharge energy during peak operational hours, flattening the operations demand curve, which in turn can significantly lower demand charges.
- Time-of-Use (TOU) Rate Arbitrage: Many Colorado utilities utilize TOU schedules, charging a premium rate during certain times of day. Batteries can charge during the day from solar production or when the cost of electricity is low and then discharge that energy when rates are high, delivering a lower cost on daily intervals.
- Uninterrupted Operations: Battery systems can act similarly to diesel generators, providing instantaneous zero-emission backup power for mission-critical operations such as cold storage facilities, manufacturing plants, and healthcare sites.
Project Highlights
- Northside Aztlan Community Center (53kW Rooftop Solar Array + 280kWh Battery): Partnering with Fort Collins utilities and Ageto, we worked to reinstall a failing PV array, a new battery system, and an Ageto microgrid controller to help the city attain both critical-load backup capabilities and a discharge-to-grid function for load control.
- Platte River Power Authority (60 kWh Battery): PRPA had an existing PV system but was experiencing outages at their HQ that stopped critical operations and access to their warehouses. Sandbox+ Solar reconfigured their system to AC-couple a battery that would primarily allow for backup power to critical loads of their facility, like lights, gates, security, and equipment. The system is also planned to be used for experimental rate arbitrage and peak shaving.
- Two Rivers Community Solar Project (2.5MW-DC/2MW-AC Ground Mounted Array): Partnering with Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association (PVREA), our team successfully designed and deployed a turnkey, front-of-the-meter photovoltaic array. This installation directly feeds clean power into the regional energy infrastructure, empowering the utility to deliver reliable, zero-emission electricity to the local community.
Financing and Incentives
Businesses ready to act quickly are still able to secure 30% to 50% federal tax credits with Sandbox+ Solar. Small to medium-sized commercial projects that sign contracts soon may be able to be commissioned by the end of 2027 and claim a 30% tax credit through the standard ITC route. Sandbox+ Solar has also safe-harbored a limited number of projects, meaning that your large commercial site may still be able to secure the 30% tax credit, even if the project can’t be completed in 2027. Reach out to us to learn more about how your solar+BESS site may be able to qualify for these incentives. We also offer flexible financing plans that fit your needs.
Sandbox+ Solar is Your Trusted Commercial Solar Partner
Battery Energy Storage Systems offer a lifeline for Colorado businesses, securing energy independence, keeping energy costs low, all while protecting your bottom line. Coupled with solar, you can free yourself or your commercial partners from the restraints of the Colorado energy grid. Sandbox+ Solar is your go-to renewable energy provider to help you achieve independence while keeping your operations running smoothly, day and night.
Sandbox+ Solar: Committed to Creating Self-Sufficient Towns
Sandbox+ Solar was established in 2015 and is a Colorado-based energy company specializing in Solar, BESS, and HVAC for commercial, residential, and agricultural properties. A leader in dual-use solar, known as agrivoltaics, Sandbox+ Solar continues to lead Colorado in all things renewable energy. We serve businesses, non-profits, educational institutions, general contractors, real estate builders, developers, and other public organizations from Northern Colorado through the Denver Metro area and beyond.
Interested in learning more about solar for your customers and business? To get in touch with our commercial solar and battery experts, go to https://sandboxsolar.com/services/commercial-solar/, email commercialsales@sandboxsolar.com, or call (970) 673-7733.
