Deriva commissions 140MW Spanish Peaks Solar portfolio in Colorado

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
A Deriva Energy solar project.
Deriva will sell power generated at the project to the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association through two PPAs. Image: Deriva Energy.

US renewable project developer and operator Deriva Energy has commissioned its 140MW Spanish Peaks Solar portfolio in the US state of Colorado.

Deriva noted that the projects began commercial operation on 26 December, in line with its plans to commission the projects in the fourth quarter of 2024, and will supply power to local power supply cooperative the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association through two “long-term” power purchase agreements (PPAs).

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The company acquired the projects from German solar developer JUWI in January 2024, at which point Deriva said that the PPAs would last for 19 years. Tri-State manages the power supply for over a million customers across Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming, and the commissioning of the Spanish Peaks projects will help the utility meet its target of generating half of its electricity from renewable sources by the end of this year.

“Spanish Peaks Solar demonstrates the benefits that new generation projects offer to both Tri-State’s members, and to the rural communities where projects are located,” said Don Keairns, vice-chair of the Tri-State board and board member of the San Isabel Electric Association (SIEA).

“Spanish Peaks Solar is part of the reliable, affordable and diverse resource portfolio from Tri-State to serve the SIEA and the other members, and brings new investment and tax base to southern Colorado.”

The news is a positive development for the Colorado solar sector – at least its downstream component – after Swiss firm Meyer Burger scrapped plans to build a cell manufacturing plant in the state last year. While this owes much to Meyer Burger’s well-documented struggles in 2024, there are concerns about the future of the US solar sector more broadly as noted renewable power sceptic Donald Trump is set to return to the White House by the end of the month.

7 October 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 7-8 October 2025 is our third PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The events in 2023 and 2024 were a sell out success and 2025 will once again gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing in the U.S. out to 2030 and beyond.
21 October 2025
New York, USA
Returning for its 12th edition, Solar and Storage Finance USA Summit remains the annual event where decision-makers at the forefront of solar and storage projects across the United States and capital converge. Featuring the most active solar and storage transactors, join us for a packed two-days of deal-making, learning and networking.
16 June 2026
Napa, USA
PV Tech has been running PV ModuleTech Conferences since 2017. PV ModuleTech USA, on 16-17 June 2026, will be our fifth PV ModulelTech conference dedicated to the U.S. utility scale solar sector. The event will gather the key stakeholders from solar developers, solar asset owners and investors, PV manufacturing, policy-making and and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out the PV module supply channels to the U.S. out to 2027 and beyond.

Read Next

September 10, 2025
Renewables developer rPlus Energies has secured US$100 million in tax equity financing for its 125MW solar PV plant in the US state of Idaho.
September 10, 2025
Cordelio Power has started commercial operations at its 150MW Winfield solar project in Lincoln County, Missouri.
September 10, 2025
Japanese solar cell manufacturer Toyo Solar has sold 1.6GW of solar PV cells in the first half of 2025, driving revenue of around US$139 million.
September 9, 2025
Nautilus and Summit Ridge Energy secured major financing deals to expand community solar projects across multiple US states.
September 9, 2025
The US is forecast to reach between US$55-60 billion in clean energy tax credit monetisation in 2025, according to a report from clean energy financing technology platform Crux.
September 9, 2025
The US Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has released a policy blueprint which it claims would “strengthen the reliability of America’s electric grid with solar and storage technologies.”

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines