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.