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Colorado Offers Residential Solar Program
ALAMOSA — Giants of the energy industry aren’t the only ones
harnessing the power of the sun. There’s plenty of light to go around
in the San Luis Valley and a Governor’s Energy Office program
encourages Valley residents to take advantage it. In partnership with
the Governor’s Energy Office, San Luis Valley Rural Electric
Cooperative offers rebates for individuals installing solar hot water
heaters and photovoltaics to produce solar energy for their home. “The
Southwest is prime for solar,” said Heather Sanchez of San Luis Valley
Rural Electric Cooperative.
Regional representative of the Governor’s Energy Office Bob
Mailander stopped by the Alamosa Board of County Commissioners meeting
Wednesday to spread awareness of the program. “Energy is on
everybody’s mind,” said Mailander. He said the Governor’s Energy
Office has the goal of localizing alternative energy production and
helping community leaders focus on long-term strategy to deal with
energy for transportation, agriculture, home and business. “Our charge
is to be involved in energy efficiency and conservation and renewable
energy,” he said.
The Residential Solar Program is one way the Governor’s Energy
Office promotes these goals. The program offers matching grants to
program partners who then offer rebate programs to people installing
local solar electric and solar domestic hot water systems. The
Governor’s Energy Office has about $3 million spread through the
programs.
They currently have one partner in the Valley, San Luis Valley
Rural Electric Cooperative. Rural Electric was approved in May and
began offering the program this month. Sanchez said no one has taken
advantage of the program yet but people have expressed interest.
Mailander said they have infused $100,000 into the community for
small solar panels on residential units and solar hot water heating.
“We’re very hopeful that the money will create leverage for people [to
use alternative energy],” he said. The Solar Electric Program rebates
can be as much as $6,000 for homeowners.
The Solar Domestic Hot Water Program offers up to a $3,000 rebate
for one system. According the Governor’s Energy Office website, up to
15 percent of annual energy consumed is used for domestic water
heating. Sanchez said the Solar Domestic Hot Water Program is a great
way for people with lower incomes to conserve energy and save money.
Part of Rural Electric’s goal includes replacing old, inefficient
water heaters.
Program participants must purchase a solar hot water heater from
Rural Electric and pass an inspection before receiving the rebate.
Dave Mixa of Rural Electric is in charge of approving the solar hot
water heaters.
The Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association is another partner
in the program. Homeowners can visit CoSEIA’s website for program
guidelines,
www.coseia.org/geosolargrants.htm. Eligibility for the program
must be confirmed by the local program partner, San Luis Valley Rural
Electric.
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