Longmont launches its first community solar program

On Thursday, the city of Longmont launched Iluminar Community Solar, its first community solar program, powered by a 200-kilowatt system installed on the roof of the Longmont Waste Services building on South Martin Street.

The program, years in the making, gives about 30 Longmont Power & Communications customers access to renewable energy without requiring rooftop solar panels, according to Longmont Power and Communications spokesman Scott Rochat.

Half of the participants are income-qualified households enrolled in the city’s Longmont CAReS bill assistance program. These customers will receive a 20% discount on their monthly electric bills, funded by a 20% premium paid by the other half of Iluminar participants.

“It’s our first big solar system, and it’s our first community solar program. We’re here today to kick off the program that’s been three years in the making,” Hannah Mulroy, energy portfolio development manager for the city, was quoted as saying at a Thursday event announcing the installation.

The first installation, known as Martin Street Solar, will produce about 336,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year at a cost of about $520,000, funded through capital improvement dollars, according to Mulroy. Operation and maintenance costs are estimated at $7,000 per year and will be covered by the program budget.

According to the city’s website, community solar programs allow residents to subscribe to a share of the electricity produced at a solar site, offsetting their own household use with clean energy. By paying the 20% premium, participating customers can support renewable energy at a cost lower than installing rooftop panels, while also subsidizing bill relief for neighbors in need. The name Iluminar, drawn from the Spanish word meaning “to illuminate,” was chosen to reflect both the solar project’s purpose and Longmont’s diverse community, the website says.

A second Iluminar project is scheduled for early 2026 at the Ascent at Hover Crossing affordable housing development, in partnership with the Longmont Housing Authority. That installation, at 2225 18th Ave., will be slightly larger at 211 kilowatts and will directly serve residents of the complex. “It’s a further income-qualified community solar type demonstration project,” Mulroy said.

In a news release, city officials said they hope Iluminar will encourage more households to participate in future sites as they become available.