15 replies to this topic

[Shortpoet-GTD]

They passed it in 2011-
Individual portions of an array went for as little $725.00.
They are smaller in size, 2 megawatts or less but (according to this article) they face an
uphill battle against large corporate arrays.

Still; I like the idea of "We can do this" attitude these smaller solar farms can accomplish.
Article here.

[Phil]

Selling panels for "as little as" $725???!!!  $3.15/KWH???!!!     That's why I push self install at $1.50/KWH or less!

To each his own I guess!  If you don't have the roof space or are renting this is better than nothing to be sure.

[Hardison]

I really like the idea of community solar farm. Colorado really has the open space for it. I guess the price is relative, because I didn't think $725 was a bad price. ;)

[Phil]

Check these prices!

http://www.sunelec.com/

the 3x4x price bump is most likely contractor overhead.

[artistry]

The idea is fascinating. It should be very beneficial to the community. As they grow, hopefully the cost will be more economical to all.

[FamilyTreeClimber]

This is a unique idea.  It allows a small community to get into solar as a group.

I wonder how the communities go about deciding where the farm goes and how it is financed.  It says that the one community paid $725 per panel (or "as low as").  How many panels would a community need to produce enough energy for the entire group?  I'm trying to figure out how much of an investment it is.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

 FamilyTreeClimber, on 10 July 2012 - 11:00 PM, said:

This is a unique idea.  It allows a small community to get into solar as a group.

I wonder how the communities go about deciding where the farm goes and how it is financed.  It says that the one community paid $725 per panel (or "as low as").  How many panels would a community need to produce enough energy for the entire group?  I'm trying to figure out how much of an investment it is.

http://www.solargardens.org/
http://www.brewsterc...eration-energy/
http://ases.org/2012...dens-a-win-win/

[Phil]

My home system uses 42 230 watt panels and should replace 90% of my electricity but I don't have electric heat or air conditioning. At $725 per panel that would be $30,450.  I paid $331 per panel but today they can be had for as little as $152.

Incidently, I paid $15,832 for my entire system after federal incentives but i did the install myself so if you double that to pay the contractor, you come out to a little over $30K.  If I bought my system today it would be only $10,550.

Hope this helps.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Update-
spaces were sold out in less than 1/2 hour.
Source

[artistry]

It's a great program and should be taken advantage of. Hopefully it will spread from coast to coast . it's already moving fast, seemingly. Thanks.

[FamilyTreeClimber]

After reading about this it sounds a lot like the program I posted about a few weeks ago in California.  The concept seems similar.  It allows for those who wouldn't be able to take advantage of solar (renters and others without the capacity to add solar) by tapping into the community solar garden.

Obviously there was a lot of interest among contractors if the applications were gone so quickly.  Efforts to bring in alternative energy like this always reminds me of Field of Dreams.  "If you build it..."  Not so much if you build it, but it you make it accessible they will build it.  We've been told for years that it is too costly and there is no interests.  Well, if Colorado can find 1,000 companies that are eager to get on board, then there must be interest somewhere!

[Shortpoet-GTD]

There are minimal environmental effects from solar (or wind for that matter.)

Solar "spills" would be easy to clean up.

[bryce12]

This is indeed a great idea. I think the government should take the initiative and make such gardens mandatory in all the government buildings. They should also provide tax benefits to industries that switch over to solar power to encourage the corporates to buid such gardens.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

 bryce12, on 29 August 2012 - 10:26 AM, said:

This is indeed a great idea. I think the government should take the initiative and make such gardens mandatory in all the government buildings. They should also provide tax benefits to industries that switch over to solar power to encourage the corporates to buid such gardens.

Suggested maybe. But in today's political climate, "mandatory" is a curse word-the gop would scream bloody murder.

[JBMedia]

This is awesome. I hope news like this will continue to inspire other people in different demographic regions to do the same type of thing. Hopefully people will start realizing that solar power is and can be one of the best sources of energy for us.

[Hardison]

 Shortpoet-GTD, on 27 August 2012 - 03:41 AM, said:

Update-
spaces were sold out in less than 1/2 hour.
Source

Wow! That's pretty impressive. Obviously there's interest and demand for this type of service. There seem to be more than enough support for solar from the population, it's the government that's behind the curve.