The Colorado Solar and Storage Association (COSSA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Solar and Storage Champion Awards, which celebrate exemplary leadership and innovation in advancing renewable energy and energy storage solutions across Colorado. These awards honor individuals and organizations whose efforts have significantly contributed to decarbonizing Colorado and beyond.
According to COSSA CEO Mike Kruger, these awards underscore the crucial role played by lawmakers, community leaders, and industry pioneers in driving Colorado’s clean energy agenda forward. “As COSSA celebrates its 35th birthday, we recognize that we could not get to this momentous day without the incredible work of those like our winners today. Colorado’s goal to decarbonize its economy takes vision, strength, and persistence. Those virtues are on display in abundance with our winners this year.”
Announcing the 2024 Solar and Storage Award Winners:
2024 Legislative Session Leadership
Senate President Steve Fenberg Senator Chris Hansen
Senate President Steve Fenberg and Senator Hansen are honored for their pivotal roles in spearheading transformative legislation in the Colorado State Senate. Their efforts, including the passage of SB24-212 Local Govs Renewable Energy Projects, SB24-218 Modernize Energy Distribution Systems, and SB24-207 Access to Distributed Generation, have been instrumental in enhancing Colorado’s renewable energy infrastructure, expanding customer choice, and accelerating the state’s clean energy goals.
“Colorado has set ambitious goals of rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions which means that every year we must continue to pass nation-leading legislation that supports the clean energy transition,” said Senate President Steve Fenberg.
“The legislation we passed this session builds on the work of previous years to remove barriers to accessing renewable energy, revitalize Colorado’s grid and solar programs, and ensure our infrastructure is up-to-date and ready to accommodate our new energy systems. With unprecedented federal funding opportunities through President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, now is the time to make the necessary investments to ensure our state remains a leader in renewable, clean energy use.”
These key pieces of legislation are essential to building a future powered by clean energy. According to Senator Chris Hansen, “Advancing Colorado’s renewable energy framework requires not just vision but actionable steps, which is what these legislative measures represent. By modernizing our energy distribution systems, expanding access to distributed generation, and creating a market for virtual power plants, we are laying the groundwork for a resilient, sustainable future. The collaborative efforts seen in the passage of these bills demonstrate our commitment to lowering consumer bills, reducing carbon emissions in Colorado, and creating thousands of great jobs.”
SB24-218 State House Sponsors
Majority Leader Monica Duran Representative Kyle Brown
Majority Leader Monica Duran and Representative Kyle Brown were recognized for their pivotal role as co-prime sponsors of SB24-218, Modernize Energy Distribution Systems, in the Colorado House of Representatives. Their collaborative legislative effort addresses the complexities of energy distribution, crucial for Colorado’s clean energy goals.
“I was honored to co-prime sponsor SB24-218, Modernize Energy Distribution Systems. This policy is a result of a broad range of stakeholder work that brought labor and environmental groups to the table,” said Majority Leader Duran. “It is an important step towards ensuring Colorado is set up to meet our renewable energy goals while also supporting our transitioning workforce.”
Mesa County Land Use Code
Cody Davis–Mesa County Commissioner Sean Norris–Mesa County Planning Manager
Mesa County Commissioner Cody Davis and Mesa County Planning Manager Sean Norris receive a Champions Award for their collaborative efforts with the solar industry to develop a pioneering land use code. This code not only facilitates solar development but also incorporates incentives for agrivoltaics, setting a benchmark for community-driven renewable energy policies across the state.
The Distribution System Planning “Fun Club”:
The Colorado Energy Office, Natural Resources Defense Council, IBEW Local 111, Western Line Contractors Chapter of NECA, and Xcel Energy
The DSP “Fun Club” is recognized for working together to find meaningful solutions that would meet the requirements of this diverse group of stakeholders. Their joint initiative under SB24-218 exemplifies how diverse stakeholders can unite to overcome challenges and drive meaningful progress in Colorado’s energy transition.
Colorado’s State-wide Collaboration
Colorado Counties, Inc. (CCI)
Colorado Counties, Inc. (CCI) is recognized for its longstanding partnership with COSSA in promoting understanding of solar and energy storage technologies among county commissioners and planning staff statewide. This collaboration has fostered multiple initiatives, including symposiums and legislative efforts, ensuring informed decision-making and fostering positive relationships between communities and the solar industry.
Interconnection Breakthroughs
Xcel Energy’s Interconnection Breakthrough Project Team
Xcel Energy’s Interconnection Breakthrough Project Team is awarded the Corporate Innovation Award for streamlining rooftop solar installations in Colorado. By reducing approval times from months to weeks through improved processes and communication, Xcel Energy has significantly contributed to advancing the state’s clean energy targets while supporting local solar businesses.
Brandon Wellcome, DER Interconnection Operations Manager for Xcel Energy, commented on the power of collaboration, remarking, “I’m very grateful for the recognition that COSSA is giving to this cross-departmental team at Xcel Energy. For several months, a dedicated core team met to problem-solve and identify inefficiencies in the interconnection application process. What resulted was a much leaner, more visible process that delivers interconnection results from Xcel Energy in less than half the time. The hard work and creative problem-solving of each member of that team is certainly deserving of this recognition.”
Awards Ceremony and Event Details
The Solar and Storage Champions will be celebrated during the 2024 Topgolf Networking Event on August 22, 2024 at Topgolf in Thornton, Colorado. Representatives from all of the award winners will be on hand to receive the awards and offer short remarks.
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