Local business’s solar, battery upgrade underscores Colorado good grades for renewable energy

A local construction supply company’s new solar and battery system was at the center of our event to release an updated, interactive renewable energy dashboard that found Colorado’s solar, wind and geothermal progress ranks in the top 10 in the country. 

AIS Industrial & Construction Supply in Denver uses a rooftop solar array and battery backup system to help power their 30,000 square foot building. Company leadership explained that the investment in solar and battery storage was made to ensure reliable power and protect against outages, noting its advantages over traditional backup generators in terms of reliability and long-term cost savings. The system has also helped the company achieve Certifiably Green Denver status.

This is a great example of the progress Colorado is making around renewable energy including:

• A tenfold increase in solar generation since 2015, putting the state into the top 10 for solar.
• Combined with strong wind power growth, Colorado stands 7th in the nation for total electricity generated from wind, solar, and geothermal. 
• In 2024, renewables accounted for the equivalent of 43% of the state’s retail electricity sales. 
• Since 2015, solar generation has increased by 985%, wind by 135%, and overall wind and solar generation by 203%. 
• Colorado also ranks 8th nationally for battery storage capacity.

Federal clean energy tax credits are crucial incentives enabling Americans to adopt renewable energy solutions and we’re calling on Congress to protect them. 

Cities and counties can also help lead the way. For example, Denver residents should take advantage of clean energy rebates and programs like Switch Together to make it easier to choose clean energy. 

The new report positions Colorado as a national leader in renewable energy growth. 

Press conference attendees were given a tour of the rooftop solar array and battery backup system that helps power AIS Industrial & Construction Supply’s 30,000 square foot building. 

The event also pointed to other examples driving Colorado’s renewable growth, such as the City and County of Denver’s innovative projects like the Agrivoltaics Community Solar project at Denver Botanic Gardens, community solar canopies at schools, and the integration of solar and geothermal in new city facilities. Denver’s clean energy rebates and programs like Switch Together also play a role in making clean energy more accessible.