101 Solar Contracts Empower La Plata County

Solarize La Plata, coordinated by the 4CORE, is now complete, with 101 contracted projects for installing solar photovoltaic systems through the program. A final report is now available detailing the program history, results, and challenges at fourcore.org.

The Solarize La Plata Steering Committee was formed in April 2013 and began meeting to define campaign parameters. The program focused on recruiting 100 La Plata County participants to go solar, targeting new capacity of at least 325 kilowatts (kW). 219 solar system proposals were distributed, and to date 522 kW are committed, exceeding the established kilowatt goal. Seventy-four of these systems are complete and energized, with another 12 installations in progress. Remaining installations will likely be complete by fall.

“The program made it easy and was a good push for us,” said Erika Brown, Solarize La Plata participant. “We had been considering solar, but Solarize La Plata was the catalyst we needed to make it happen in a limited time frame.”

Solarize La Plata is saving our community an estimated 822,399 kWh per year, equating to $80,587 in electricity bill savings. This translates to the prevention of an estimated 567 metric tons of carbon pollution per year. Economic impacts include the creation of fifteen fulltime jobs and a monetary impact of approximately $2,173,000 in La Plata County, of which some 60-65% remains circulating within our local economy.

“Looking back to our formative meetings in May 2013, I think none of us could have guessed the outcome of our work,” said Robert Lea, Solarize La Plata Chairman. “The work was challenging. We put out lots of mental, emotional and physical effort, had fun, met lots of good people, and accomplished a lot of good for our community.”

Solarize La Plata is supported by grants from Optony’s American Solar Transformation Initiative (ASTI) through the Department of Energy’s Rooftop Solar Challenge, Ballantine Family Fund, and the City of Durango.

Find more information on the 4CORE web site at www.fourcore.org, or by calling 970-259-1916.

Solarize La Plata is Beaming

Solarize La Plata, coordinated by (4CORE), has confirmed 99 clients committed to installing solar photovoltaic systems through the program. Participants have confirmed their commitment to install solar by signing contracts with local contractors. 

A total of 387 people signed up for Solarize La Plata, and five solar contractors have distributed 219 solar system proposals. Fifty-one systems have been installed, with the goal of having all systems installed by the end of summer.

“We thought we were shooting for the moon when we set our goal of 100 systems,” said Robert Lea, Solarize La Plata Chairman. “SLP proved effective in removing substantial barriers to going solar for much of our community. Our committee is ecstatic about these program results.”

The group also set a goal of 325 kilowatts (kW) of newly installed system capacity, which has already been met and exceeded. The 99 systems represent a total of 538 kW that will now be provided by solar, a clean, renewable source of energy. This translates to 584 metric tons of carbon pollution prevented each year, or the equivalent of 123 cars removed from the road for one year. In addition, 8 jobs have already been created by the demand for these 99 new solar PV systems, which is generating over $2,000,000 for our local economy in only six months.

“The Solarize La Plata Campaign represents a paradigm shift that is underway in Southwest Colorado,” said Gregg Dubit, 4CORE Executive Director. “We speculate that our community is positively responding to the rising cost of power, 290 days of free sunshine per year, and increased effects of climate change, resulting in the accelerated adoption of distributed solar in La Plata County.” 

Solarize La Plata is supported by grants from the Optony’s American Solar Transformation Initiative (ASTI) through the Department of Energy’s Rooftop Solar Challenge, Ballantine Family Fund, and the City of Durango. The Solarize La Plata Steering Committee will be hosting a party at the end of July to celebrate the hard work and commitment of volunteers, partners, supporters, and clients. Everyone is welcome.

Find more information on the 4CORE web site at www.fourcore.org, or by calling 970-259-1916.   

2 Down, 98 to Go!

Matt Helms of Flatrock Solar is installing the second Solarize La Plata system this week. Here is a sneak peek of the scene on site:

Get Rid of your Excuses: Go Solar

To the Durango Herald Letters Editor

  

We often hear these reasons for not doing something: 

It costs too much, it’s too technical, I’m apprehensive, I’m too busy. 

We all know these types of statements are only excuses for not doing now what we later wished we had done sooner.

GOING SOLAR is one thing that is easy to put off, for all the reason stated above.  But let’s look at that first excuse, about cost:

If it’s worth doing later, it’s worth more doing now, because:

1. It will not be cheaper next year. 
2. The cost for your electricity will continue to go up (see 11/22/13 Durango Herald front page). 
3. If you have dollars in a low rate savings account, CD, money market fund (think ½% interest!), you can invest those low earning dollars in SOLAR PV for your home and immediately begin earning 6-7%!  Now who wouldn’t to do that right now?

SOLARIZE LA PLATA has taken care of those other excuses also: it’s easy to sign up, we’ve simplified the process, we’ve partnered with 5 local certified solar contractors; and we’re with you all the way from signup through watching your electric meter spin backwards. GOING SOLAR couldn’t be easier or more secure.

But you’re too busy?  Well, your friends and neighbors aren't too busy to recognize and act on a great opportunity. Since Solarize La Plata’s launch on Oct. 22, over 235 home owners have signed up for Solar PV.  

You can too, but only through Jan 31^st.  Why wait to do something that makes sense to do now?  GET SOLARIZED today!  Visit www.4core.org , or call Four Corners Office of Resource Efficiency, 970-259-1916.

Robert Lea

Chairman, Solarize La Plata – a citizen’s grass roots campaign for your energy independence

Final Shibang: Solarize La Plata Sign up Party

Every year, residents of LaPlata County send millions of dollars out of state to pay for their electricity use.  Meanwhile, massive amounts of solar energy bathing Southwestern Colorado are not being used to create electricity.

Why?  Money, primarily.  In the past, solar PV systems were very expensive, and the cost of coal-powered electricity was cheap.  We now know that there are a lot more expenses with coal-powered electricity than we see on our utility bills, but it has been easy to ignore them because we pay for them in indirect ways.  But, things have changed.  Solar PV panels have come down significantly in price, and La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) has informed us that the cost of our coal-powered electricity will be going up every year for a number of years.

The Four Corners Office for Energy Efficiency (4CORE) facilitated the formation of a volunteer citizens’ group called “Solarize LaPlata” flast summer with the goals of bringing affordable solar PV systems to the people of LaPlata County, creating local jobs, and keeping  money here that would ordinarily leave the area,  Based on a model developed in Portland, OR and endorsed by the Department of Energy, the Solarize LaPlata group has partnered with local solar installers, the City of Durango, First National Bank of Durango, and the 1st Southwest Bank.

If you have ever thought you would like to have solar power or you would like to be more energy-independent, you should check out this program.  And in today’s financial climate, if you have money sitting in the bank earning practically nothing and it’s not part of your emergency fund, you may want to consider going solar as an investment that will average a 7% return.

The Solarize LaPlata committee will be hosting an informational meeting at the Bayfield Library on Saturday, January 11th at 2 p.m.  The program will be explained in detail and there will be time for everyone’s questions.  Those people interested in taking the next step can sign up to have their electrical needs assessed to see what size solar PV system they would need to offset their electricity use and what it would cost.

The Solarize LaPlata a time-limited program.  The citizen volunteers have worked with local installers to bring down the price of a grid-tied solar PV system, which eliminates the need for batteries.  The program offers base systems of three sizes with quality components, warrantied installation and parts, special low cost loans from two local banks, and help in walking people through every step of the decision-making process.  Come to the Library on January 11th and find out how easy going solar can be!

About the Author:

Diane Higgins is a volunteer Steering Committee Member for Solarize La Plata. She recently installed solar on her own home and is hosting a Solarize Open House on Saturday, January 18th from 12 -2 PM at 383 County Road 225.

Confessions of an Energy Addict

Hello, my name is Gregg Dubit, and I am addicted to energy.

I feel better having said that. I am also the Director of 4CORE, and this is my first ever ‘web log’ or blog.  I am honored and proud that 4CORE is helping to Solarize our community and blogging seems like a great way to tell my thoughts and story on ‘going solar’.

Remember when your mom said, ‘eat your veggies before you have desert’? The same analogy applies to energy use in the home. Insulate, air seal, and maintain or upgrade your appliances first, to have an efficient home. Hire an energy auditor and prepare your nest for the winter. Then for dessert; ‘go solar’.

Our family still eats our veggies: We boosted our attic insulation, we insulated our basement, and we continue to look for ways to make our home more energy efficient. I still have to chase my kids around the house to get them to power down and turn off the lights, ROKU, Wei, computers, TV and the list of high energy consuming plug in devices seem to grow monthly.

I personally thought solar photovoltaics (PV) was not within my financial reach. I thought solar was for wealthy people, and it has been. My wife and I discussed going solar a lot. We were on the fence between our 10-year old daughter (Lydia) needing braces, and the need to upgrade a vehicle, as well as another set of snow tires. There was always something to keep us from investing in solar. I have admired the concept of ‘Going Solar’ but thought I could not afford to put solar on my house.

But I still did not have the cold hard cash to throw down.

Enter Solarize La Plata (SLP), never under estimate what a committed group of volunteers can accomplish. The SLP committee has made ‘going solar’ easy. Solarize La Plata is a grass roots effort to make Solar possible for more people, maybe even you. Competitive local loans, and very competitive pricing on solar installations with professional NABCEP certified, local contractors.

On top of all that, La Plata Electric Association (LPEA), is a proven leader among the 44 electric cooperatives under Tri-State for supporting solar on your home with well-organized, professional grid tied interconnect policies (meaning you don’t need to buy $10,000 worth of batteries to go solar), and you will even qualify for a renewable energy credit (thank you LPEA).

What was the tipping point for us on the solar decision? 

Actually there were several tipping points.

After doing the math, subtracting the incentives from the LPEA Renewable Energy Credit, and then subtracting the 30% federal income tax credit available - ‘going solar now’ is possible. My wife Gretchen and I piloted a loan to put PV on our home. Our system went live just a few weeks ago and we are now offsetting our home’s use of electricity. We plan to pay off our loan over the next seven years and we are hedging that utility prices will increase, making our investment even smarter.

Solar power is an opportunity like a back yard garden. We still depend on others for most of our food, but the elk, broccoli, cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, berries, and lettuce we grow or get locally just taste better and make me feel good. I will still depend on LPEA for electricity, and I greatly appreciated how quickly they performed repairs after the last wet snow storm a few weeks ago. But I'm smiling, having gone solar and knowing I am making electricity while the sun shines.

My Energy Use Confession

I built a ‘hillbilly hot tub’ 10 years ago with a cattle stock tank and an aluminum submersible wood stove. We enjoyed many years of soaking, but splitting an additional chord of wood to heat it was not that relaxing. To upgrade to a modern electric hot tub, or not to upgrade.

Remember when I said I was addicted to energy? Let me tell you, Gretchen and I  really fought over this new appliance. Keeping 300 gallons of water 102 degrees outside is not sustainable. After all, the leader of 4CORE could not be caught relaxing in an electric hot tub, supplied with coal fired power (I imagined that I should be tarred and feathered). Gretchen made the case that this electric hot tub would be an investment in our marriage, soaking under the stars after the kids are in bed – and she was right (again). But compromise often comes with conditions, and my condition for the hot tub was that we invest in solar PV, before I turn 50.

So there you have it. I have come out of the closet – The director of 4CORE is addicted to energy.

What about you? What is your story about energy use?

If you have money, aka cash, solar offers a smart return on investment (ROI) which will outperform most stocks and bonds, and this is represents a local investment, with local contractors. If you don’t have the cash but still want to ‘go solar’ check out the competitive lending options.

If you would like to check out my array, come to the 1st Solarize Open House we are hosting, this Sunday, November 3rd  1:00 to 4:00 pm at our home: 2525 County Road 124, La Plata Canyon, direction signs will be posted – (please leave your dog at home- we have plenty).

Thanks for reading,

Sincerely, Gregg

About the Author

Born and raised in the Washington D.C. area Gregg Dubit has been in Southwest Colorado for over 20 years. Gregg has a Bachelors degree from The University of New Hampshire, Durham in Forest Resource Management, and from Fort Lewis College, Durango in secondary education. Greggs’ previous experience includes Commercial energy auditing, Residential Services Network training and certification, residential general contracting, residential real estate inspection services, high school math and science teacher, former ski patroller, and aged outward bound instructor. In addition, Gregg is an avid dog musher, proud father of Lydia and Hayden, and happily married to Gretchen.

Sunshine to Power More Homes in La Plata County

Solarize La Plata County is offering a limited time opportunity for homeowners in La Plata County to generate their own solar power through a simplified process at a reduced cost. The campaign is launching with an informational event hosted by the Discovery Museum on October 22^nd at 5:30 PM, and a chance for interested participants to sign up. Complimentary food and beverages will be served. 

 

Solarize La Plata was initiated by the Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE) and a group of committed citizens in the spring of this year. Goals include installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on 100 homes in La Plata County with a total of 325 kilowatts (kW) in system capacity. The Solarize model, developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the City of Portland, was so successful that the U.S. Dept of Energy (DOE) adopted it and published a Solarize Guidebook for other communities to follow.

 

"This idea started in Portland by a neighborhood group that organized so they could collectively make informed decisions concerning installation of residential PV systems on their homes," said Robert Lea, Solarize La Plata Chairman. "Our changing political climate and the decrease in solar panel pricing is generating excitement about a local campaign, and our dedicated group of volunteers is setting Solarize La Plata in motion."

 

Solarize La Plata is partnering with the City of Durango, local lenders, and La Plata County-based solar contractors to create incentives to make going solar an affordable venture for more residents. As with many other Solarize campaigns around the country, it is expected that Solarize La Plata will result in increased market demand for PV in Southwest Colorado.

 

"Solar power is reliable, maintenance free and can be generated at your home," said Gregg Dubit, 4CORE Executive Director. "Now is a great time for solar. Many people don’t think they can afford solar, but we have lowered the price, motivated local banks to offer competitive loans, and are making it financially feasible for more residents to go solar."

 

The Solarize La Plata group will begin accepting applications on their website after October 22nd.

Solarize to Facilitate Discussions to Increase Local Solar Electric (PV) Installations

4CORE is facilitating a meeting to discuss increasing the number of solar electric (PV) installations in our community through the Solarize Campaign. The meeting will be held on March 19th, from 9 to 11 AM at the Durango Recreation Center’s Windham room.

The campaign is a grassroots effort that uses community volunteers, active local government and a local non-profit to manage the project. The program capitalizes on the purchasing power of a community and motivates the residents by offering significant savings through a limited-time bulk purchase opportunity that also removes other common market barriers.

Case studies in other communities have shown a 20 - 40-percent discount on solar installations for participants. In addition, it would provide jobs and spur the market for ongoing growth in the local solar industry.

Funding efforts during this first Solarize Campaign could help create a sustainable funding source for future Solarize campaigns in other communities. Common Solarize campaign steps include developing partnerships and initiate planning, creating a database for customer interface, volunteer recruitment, request for proposal (RFP) process, outreach and education, customer enrollment, site assessments by solar installer(s), solar installations, evaluation, and celebration.

The goals of the meeting are to provide an overview of the Solarize concept and gauge our community's interest in a Solarize campaign. A few recommended resources to review before the meeting include the DOE Solarize Guidebook and a Solarize Campaign Website Sample from Washington State.

To attend the meeting RSVP here. 

More information can be found at www.fourcore.org/Residential/Solarize.aspx.

Solar Roadmap Unveiled in Southwest Colorado

The Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE), in conjunction with Optony, hosted a regional meeting on the Solar Roadmap in January, which identifies opportunities to improve the access of residents to solar energy. The Southwest Solar Transformation Initiative (SSTI) team, including 4CORE and Optony energy consultants, is helping local communities benefit from greater use of solar energy by developing tailored roadmaps for local jurisdictions identifying steps they can take to increase activity in the residential solar market.

For the past year, the SSTI team has been working with stakeholders in Pagosa Springs, Cortez, and Durango to evaluate the potential for development of residential solar power generation. The SSTI is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Rooftop Solar Challenge program, with a goal to make going solar easier and more cost effective across the U.S.

The meeting shared findings with interested communities, citizens, and the installation and home builder industries. Topics included an overview of the SSTI program and the goals it has set for local communities, tools and resources available, market development opportunities, and general solar market trends in financing and technology.

4CORE will be initiating a meeting in the future to discuss a Solarize program, or a time limited campaign to install solar in our region at discounted prices.