Trimble Breaks Ground On 1.7-Megawatt Solar Array at its Headquarters in Westminster, Colorado

Trimble has announced the groundbreaking of a 1.7-megawatt solar array as a renewable energy source at its Westminster, Colorado headquarters.

The new solar panels are expected to offset more than 100 percent of Trimble’s two-building campus at Westmoor Technology Park, which accounts for around 6-7 percent of the company’s total global electricity use (based on 2021). The installation will be one of Westminster’s largest distributed solar systems.

The announcement falls during Earth Month and is in line with the company’s commitment to a low-carbon future.
The 4.4-acre project features ground-mounted solar arrays and raised buildings with solar panels to form 170 staff and visitor carports. Carports will shelter vehicles from the elements and house 49 solar-powered electric vehicle charging points. The system has a maximum estimated yearly yield of 2,570,000 kilowatt hours, which is comparable to utilizing around 3,500 barrels of oil. The array also reduces grid strain by lowering Trimble’s reliance on traditional energy sources, especially during peak energy use, which is often when the sun is shining.

Trimble’s solar array project is part of the company’s science-based target commitment to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions, which include emissions from the company’s facilities and vehicles, by half by 2030 (from a 2019 baseline) and to achieve 100 percent annual renewable electricity sourcing by 2025.

“We feel a heightened responsibility to be more sustainable and to help our customers drive sustainability for the benefit of our planet and future generations,” said Trimble CEO Rob Painter. “In terms of environmental benefit, we are committed to researching novel renewable energy solutions. This includes on-site solar energy generation, which we are implementing or pursuing at a number of our global facilities. Our goal for these projects is to create our own renewable energy and, whenever possible, to sell any extra energy to the local power grid.”

Trimble is designing and building the project alongside Namaste Solar, an employee-owned, fully integrated solar energy firm situated in Boulder, Colorado. Trimble solutions, such as robotic total stations for surveying and site layout, as well as machine control and guidance for pile driving, will be employed in the project’s construction.

“We applaud Trimble’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint by investing in clean renewable solar energy,” said Rachel Mountain, Namaste Solar’s Co-owner and Director of Commercial and Industrial Sales. “Trimble serves as an inspiration for businesses to get high-quality renewable energy in the face of climate change and growing energy expenses. This project will not only help Trimble achieve its clean energy goals, but it will also spur local economic growth and support over 50 well-paying green jobs in our community.”