Deb Buys Into Community Solar In Seattle

As many of my readers already know, I put a solar hot water system (with electric backup) in my Seattle house in 2008. (See  my Solar In Seattle page.) And now I have solar panels as well.

All two of them.

Say hello to the Seattle City Light’s inaugural Community Solar Project! This year, the City of Seattle is starting to build solar-panel- covered picnic shelters at Jefferson Park on Beacon Hill. Seattle City Light customers were invited to become founding members in fall on 2012 by buying one, but not more than two, solar panels at $600 each.

The goal of this project is to allow people to buy into a portion of a solar array and receive a portion of financial kick-back on their electric bill. Each year through 2020, a credit on your electric bill for your portion of solar electricity produced (about $0.07/kWh) and the Washington State renewable energy production incentive (anticipated $1.08/kWh).

It’s not a lot of money, but sure was less expensive to be an early adopter by buying two panels, rather than doing my whole house for $20,000 grand.  So, yes, I am now the proud owner of two solar panels on the Jefferson Park picnic shelter.And as my faithful readers know, I love being an early adopter of all things green…(See my electric car page.)

To read more about the project, visit the following link: http://www.seattle.gov/light/Solar/community.asp
(It explains much more eloquently than I just what community solar is, what Seattle is doing and has cool pictures, too!

Meanwhile, I if you are thinking about going solar, check out Puget Sound Solar- they are the folks who installed my solar hot water (plus the owners are also electric car drivers and active members of the Seattle Electric Vehicle Association.

Go solar! It’s not only cool, it’s hot!