An environmental justice grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, along with a lot of assistance from La Plata Electric Association, will help several local families.
On Friday, representatives from the Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency, Habitat for Humanity of La Plata County, and SolarWorks gathered at the Cuellar home in Bayfield for a ribbon cutting on the family’s new 6.8 kilowatt rooftop solar photovoltaic system.
The system should provide enough power for the seven-member family, said Derek Wadsworth of Solar Works.
Mara Cuellar said she and her six children are grateful for the opportunity to have a solar system installed in their home.
Another ribbon cutting ceremony was held Monday at Southwest Horizon Ranch for a solar-powered water pump.
The installation in Bayfield took about two days to complete, Wadsworth said. The two projects are valued at $62,000.
According to 4Core, the resulting benefits of the two installations are:
39,692 kilowatt hours to be produced annually, offsetting 100 percent of electricity demand for the seven-member family and for Southwest Horizon Ranch’s water utility pump and delivery.$1,770 saved annually for the Habitat for Humanity of La Plata County home and an estimated $4,000 saved annually for Southwest Horizon Ranch and the owner of the development, Housing Solutions for the Southwest.27.4 metric tons of carbon dioxide saved annually.29,398 pounds of burned coal prevented in La Plata County annually, andMore than 300 engaged community members and growing with raised awareness on energy efficiency and involved in community solar.In addition to LPEA, the 2016 Southwest Solar Barn Raising Program received support from the Ballantine Family Fund, the Walmart Foundation, Alpine Bank, StoneAge, Maynes, Bradford, Shipps & Sheftel, CalCom Solar, Living Solar and SolarWorks in addition to the EPA grant.
4CORE plans to replicate the Southwest Solar Barn Raising Program in 2017 with a new EPA Environmental Justice Grant. Potential project sites will be identified by collaborating with partner agencies such as Housing Solutions for the Southwest, Regional Housing Alliance for Southwest Colorado and Habitat for Humanity of La Plata County.
