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.   

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.

4CORE Fortifies Energy Programs and Projects with Four Strategic Areas and Newly Elected Board Chair

4CORE is strengthening the organization based on requests, feedback and the needs of residents and businesses in the region. 4CORE’s new mission is to: "serve Southwest Colorado as the leading resource for the effective and efficient use of energy to promote and sustain our vibrant local communities."

Organization board and staff have honed a new strategic plan with four focus areas:

• Energy Efficiency, health, and safety focus for commercial buildings and homes
• Innovative Solutions, or forward thinking energy solutions, including solar photo voltaic (PV)
• Resource Efficiency Education for building professionals and residents
• Energy Information Hub, distributing relevant, accurate information and resources for decreasing energy use

"Our board and staff have just completed a strategic plan that will build upon Durango's goals of using energy efficiently, promoting renewable energy development and expanding our educational role around energy," said Erich Bussian, 4CORE's newly elected Board Chair. "Weatherization was a great program, and we now look forward to expanding our role around energy use."

Energy efficiency efforts will be improved by conducting residential and commercial energy assessments and upgrades through the Resource Smart Business Program (RSBP) and the Home Performance Prescription (HomeRx) Program. This includes linking clients with finance and incentive options, as well as promoting job creation by referring work to local energy professionals. 4CORE will ensure quality work by performing inspections on upgraded homes and buildings.

4CORE’s Innovative Solutions will include facilitating the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) through one or more Solarize campaigns or packages. Resource efficiency education will continue to be a focus for 4CORE throughout Southwest Colorado. This includes Home Spotlight events, technical training, general/community brown bag lunches, indoor air quality sessions for low income residents of La Plata County, and facilitation of a regional dialogue on alternative fuel vehicles, including Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for fleets. 

Finally, 4CORE will continue to provide cutting edge, accurate, regularly updated, informational services through multiple media platforms, including an informative website, monthly newsletters, regular blogs, and social media to keep 4CORE stakeholders informed. 

"4CORE staff are rejuvenated and excited about this new direction," said Gregg Dubit, 4CORE Executive Director. "We have enhanced our strategy and are dedicated to serving our region with improved service and new innovative programs." 

Support 4CORE and get involved by visiting www.fourcore.org.

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.

Picture This: Saving Energy in Images

4CORE wishes you and yours a happy and prosperous 2012!

Compare incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent lights

Thick walls and south facing windows make this home easy to heat in the winter and cool in the summer

LED track lighting- efficient and beautiful!

A programmable thermostat set at a reasonable temperature

Intern Anne Pesata educates booth visitors at the Pagosa Home and Ranch Show

Solar PV and hot water provide electricity and hot water to a Durango home

A weatherization crew member blowing insulation into an attic. Photo by Stephen Eginoire.

Community Energy Coordinator Heather Wyatt at the 4CORE Open House. Photo by Stephen Eginoire.

The 4CORE Board of Directors, wishing you a safe and resource efficient 2012! Photo by Stephen Eginoire.