Business coalition gets behind solar campaign

A coalition of more than 280 businesses and others, along with more than 11,000 people, called on Gov. John Hickenlooper and other state leaders to help reach a goal of installing 3 gigawatts of solar energy statewide. The Denver conservation group Environment Colorado said this week that support for the initiative included businesses in Fort Collins, such as Odell Brewing Co. and Equinox Brewing Co. Inc. The coalition includes farmers, ranchers, government officials and environmental organizations. The Colorado solar industry announced the goal, known as a Million Solar Roofs, earlier this year, but this week's announcement indicated broad support for the campaign. A similar campaign is under way in California. Three gigawatts of solar, which the solar industry aims to install by 2030, would multiply the state's solar capacity by 10. The goal would raise solar's contribution to 10 percent of the state's energy generation. The goal includes everything from rooftop arrays to solar farms. Solar thermal systems are also included in the campaign. Policies such as net-metering, where people who invest in solar panels receive credit from utilities for excess electricity they supply to the grid, can help reach the goal, Environment Colorado said.