University of Denver partners with Pivot Energy on off-site solar to reach carbon neutral by 2030

A 3.2-megawatt solar field north of Denver is the first of several off-site arrays DU is buying into as part of its 2030 carbon-neutrality goal.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The University of Denver has partnered with Pivot Energy to develop several off-site solar arrays that will help the university reach its goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2030. The first 3.2-megawatt solar field in Johnstown, Colorado can produce enough electricity to power around 750 homes, and is the first of multiple off-site projects the university has contracted with Pivot Energy to build and operate.

Why it matters

The University of Denver's partnership with Pivot Energy on off-site solar is a significant step towards the university's ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. As on-campus solar and energy efficiency measures have limitations, the off-site solar arrays will allow DU to fully offset its electricity-based emissions and make major progress on its sustainability commitments.

The details

The 3.2-megawatt solar field in Johnstown uses around 7,000 solar panels mounted on single-axis trackers that rotate to follow the sun throughout the day. Pivot Energy builds, owns, and operates the arrays, while DU purchases the renewable electricity at a fixed rate under a 20-year agreement. This arrangement was made possible by a recent Colorado law allowing organizations to buy power from off-site renewable projects. The Johnstown solar field is the first of six sites Pivot is developing for DU, which together will offset 100% of the university's electricity-based emissions.

  • The Johnstown solar field was built and became operational in 2026.
  • DU plans to have all six off-site solar projects developed by Pivot Energy completed by the end of 2027.

The players

Pivot Energy

A renewable energy company that develops, finances, builds, owns, and operates the off-site solar arrays for the University of Denver.

University of Denver

A private university in Denver, Colorado that has partnered with Pivot Energy to develop off-site solar projects to help it reach its goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2030.

Xcel Energy

The utility company that the solar power generated from the Pivot Energy arrays is fed into, with DU receiving bill credits for the renewable electricity.

Colorado Senate Bill 21-261

A state law that enabled the partnership between DU and Pivot Energy by allowing organizations to purchase electricity from off-site renewable energy projects.

Lynn Bailey

The director of energy and sustainability at the University of Denver, overseeing the university's efforts to become carbon-neutral.

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What they’re saying

“This is one of six sites that will be built this year and next year that we've partnered with the University [of Denver] on. All of those together will effectively offset 100% of the electricity-based emissions from the campus.”

— Mat Elmore, Senior Vice President of Strategic Accounts, Pivot Energy (denver7.com)

“The main reason I'm optimistic is because of projects like this. We're really moving the needle on renewable energy across campus... I'm very confident we'll meet the goal.”

— Lynn Bailey, Director of Energy and Sustainability, University of Denver (denver7.com)

What’s next

DU plans to have all six off-site solar projects developed by Pivot Energy completed by the end of 2027, which will fully offset the university's electricity-based emissions and help it reach its carbon-neutral goal by 2030.

The takeaway

The University of Denver's innovative partnership with Pivot Energy on off-site solar demonstrates how large institutions can leverage renewable energy projects to make significant progress on ambitious sustainability targets, even when on-campus options are limited. This model could inspire other universities and organizations to pursue similar strategies to reduce their carbon footprints.