Everybody Solar and Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions Complete Second Solar Project Together

Everybody Solar is proud to announce the completion of a new 5.85-kilowatt solar energy system at Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions, expanding a long-standing partnership that helps the nonprofit reduce operating costs while advancing its mission of environmental education.

For decades, Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions has taken young people into the landscapes of New Mexico, encouraging them to connect with the land, one another, and themselves through field studies, ecological projects, and immersive experiences rooted in the region’s rich cultural heritage. Today, the organization serves more than 1,500 participants annually, making it one of the Southwest’s premier outdoor education nonprofits.

This marks Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions’ second solar project with Everybody Solar, reflecting the organization’s shared belief that sustainability is most powerful when it is practiced as well as taught. Previous solar installations supported other campus facilities. This latest project brings clean energy to the organization’s headquarters and includes a new electric vehicle charging station, further integrating renewable energy into its daily operations.

The 5.85-kW solar array is expected to offset 100% of the headquarters’ annual electricity use, while benefiting approximately 1,526 people each year through Cottonwood Gulch’s educational programs and community outreach.

By eliminating electricity costs at its headquarters, Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions can redirect funds previously spent on utility bills toward expanding educational programming, supporting staff and facilities, and providing transformative outdoor experiences for future generations. The solar installation also serves as a living demonstration of renewable energy, giving participants a firsthand example of environmental stewardship in action.

“It feels like a crime in New Mexico to not have solar because we have so much sun all the time,” said Jordan Stone, Executive Director of Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions. “The fact that we’re able to harness that to offset our energy costs feels good, and feels like modeling environmental stewardship for the place where we are.”

“At Everybody Solar, we’re proud to partner with organizations like Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions that inspire the next generation of environmental leaders,” said Myriam Scally, Executive Director of Everybody Solar. “This project demonstrates how clean energy can directly strengthen a nonprofit’s mission by lowering operating expenses, reducing carbon emissions, and creating meaningful educational opportunities. We’re especially excited to build on our longstanding partnership with Cottonwood Gulch through this second installation.”

This project was made possible in part through the Solar Moonshot Program, administered by the Hammond Climate Solutions Foundation, with funding provided by the BQuest Foundation. Support from the Solar Moonshot Program helps nonprofits overcome the financial barriers to adopting renewable energy, allowing organizations to invest more in their missions while reducing their environmental impact.

Through partnerships like this one, Everybody Solar helps nonprofit organizations nationwide reduce utility expenses, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and dedicate more resources to serving their communities.