Denver Solar Gardens Becoming the Community Gardens of the Future

So far, nine solar gardens have popped up around the city, and another 10 are on the way, according to the Denver Post.

The gardens are designed for area residents and businesses that can’t put solar panels on their roofs. They can buy a fractional ownership for this solar power, similar to the kind found in community gardens around the city.

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, approximately three-quarters of all homes do not have roofs suitable for solar panels. Those who buy ownership in these solar gardens get a credit on their electricity bills.

One of these solar arrays is next to Green Valley Ranch Middle School in Denver. The 800-kilowatt array is set to begin operating soon, thanks to Denver-based SunShare LLC and a Princeton, NJ, energy company.

A solar array in Boulder, which cost $1.5 million and puts out 500-kilowatts, is nearing completion by the Clean Energy Collective from Louisville, KY.

Of course, those aren’t the only gardens that Denver residents can participate in. The traditional type, offering vegetables, herbs or flowers, are another great way to “go green.”

This is also the time of year when area residents stock up on pesticides to get rid of insects, weeds, and plant diseases in their lawns. While most are synthetic, there are organic and even pesticide free lawncare and gardening options available to the public.

For those who want easy options for their gardens, or may have limited space, the Denver Post recommends trying plants in hanging baskets. These are easy to take care of as long as they are watered properly.

However, those who want to help Denver and the state of Colorado go “green” beyond the garden still have time to buy into the solar gardens being planned for the area.

There are also surrounding areas that have solar projects underway, including in Adams, Arapahoe, Jefferson and El Paso counties.