As spring arrives and area residents start to prepare their vegetable gardens for the growing season, a local energy cooperative is planting a very different kind of garden.
Construction is underway on the Solar Assist Cooperative Garden located next to the Cortez headquarters of local energy cooperative Empire Electric Association. Reservations are being taken on leases for the first 24 panels.
Doug Sparks, member services manager for Empire Electric, said the project is a response to local residents asking why the co-op does not do more to support photovoltaic energy.
The idea is that weve got membership in our area that wanted to participate in alternate energy, Sparks said. For whatever reason they wanted to do it, we wanted to accommodate those desires for those who cannot afford a system on their own.
The current phase of the project is designed to utilize 24 photovoltaic solar panels to generate an estimated 8,500 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually for Empires power grid. In the spirit of a cooperative, each panel will be available to co-op members for a 20-year lease.
The question is, when the garden is built, will co-op members be willing make the $1,250 investment necessary to lease a panel? Sparks said more than half of the first 24 panels have been spoken for, but no contracts have been drawn up.
Sparks admits investment in the project might not offer a financial return for participating co-op members. Those who lease a panel would get an estimated $3.20 average credit to their monthly power bill, which could take more than the panels 20-year estimated lifespan to offer payback.
At this point in time, there is no cost benefit to it, Sparks said. But we dont know whats going to happen 20 years from now. The price of oil, the price of fossil fuel generated electricity, might go through the roof. I think those people who really want to do solar (photovoltaic) are anticipating that and see that as a future. Its not so much a matter of payback as it is investment in the future.
Solar electricity generation depends on seasons, weather and hours of daylight.
The project gives those who want to invest in solar energy a chance to do so at a significantly lower cost than a home solar system, Sparks said.
Relatively speaking, the payback on this is about the same, but your initial investment is a lot smaller, he said.
What we looked at was, being a cooperative, lets do a cooperative effort, he said. Lets try to bring more members into the play. This isnt for a select few elite people who are going to do solar.
There is a 20-year commitment on a panel lease, Sparks said. But unlike a solar system permanently installed at a home, the energy credit is transferable when a member moves to a new residence anywhere in Empires service area. This is particularly beneficial to locals who reside in rental homes or apartments, he said.
Thats the beauty of it, he said. It makes it portable. So they can still carry that credit with them. No matter where they move to. It fits the profile of a lot more of our consumers.
The solar garden is expandable, Sparks said. If enough interest is shown in the project, more rows of panels can be added.
Empire Electric staff will clean and maintain the panels, Sparks said.
Sparks emphasized the project will only be paid for by co-op members who choose to lease a panel and will not financially benefit outside interests.
Its a community, cooperative-based program, Sparks said. Were trying to stay member-oriented all the time, and we dont want to be building something for just one person.
Co-op members interested in reserving a panel can call 565-4444 and ask for Sparks or Bobbe Jones.
Reach Reid Wright at [email protected].