The article on obstacles to solar power (Herald, May 15) incorrectly suggested solar panels cause “problems for neighbors.” Rather than creating friction between neighbors and damaging community relations, La Plata Electric Association needs to address potential solar panel problems by updating the power distribution system, the electric grid.

I challenge the leadership of LPEA to move to a modern grid system, using three strategies to move to a sustainable energy future.

Smart Grid technology that uses digital communication to detect and react to local changes in usage and encourages two-way communication between LPEA and the consumer. This shift towards a participatory culture could contribute to environmentally sensitive ways to live.Aggregate batteries to store electricity produced by solar panels, taking pressure off the co-op to upgrade or maintain portions of an aging grid. Batteries could be placed first in weak spots along the grid. LPEA would act as the facilitator or “air traffic controller” of energy generated by its customers.Microgrids, small interconnected energy grids that can be grid-connected or not, are especially relevant for isolated mountain communities. Microgrids, combined with a Smart Grid and aggregated batteries, are a means to update and serve the mountain community during disastrous weather outages.Those 828 customers with solar panels pay base fees regardless of their usage; this base fee should be used to update grid infrastructure – the lines, the meters, the system. Voltage from home solar panels flows into the grid and generally flows to other houses; and because electricity generated by solar panels is “live,” there is no loss on site.

We are increasingly aware that ‘going local’ offers a way to improve our quality of life and safeguard our beautiful mountain environment. Let’s move away from remote sources of cheap energy (coal or distant wind farms) by updating the LPEA grid system to take advantage of locally sourced power as a step for energy security, reliability and economy.

Chara Ragland

Durango