Solarize La Plata one away from meeting goal

“Technology of the panels has not changed that much, but the efficiently and quality has gone up a lot and the cost has dropped sufficiently,”said John Shaw, of Shaw Solar, in February in Bayfield. Hunter Swanson’s house in Bayfield was the first home where Solarize La Plata installed solar panels, and the campaign to sign up 100 homes and businesses just hit 99.

JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald

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“Technology of the panels has not changed that much, but the efficiently and quality has gone up a lot and the cost has dropped sufficiently,”said John Shaw, of Shaw Solar, in February in Bayfield. Hunter Swanson’s house in Bayfield was the first home where Solarize La Plata installed solar panels, and the campaign to sign up 100 homes and businesses just hit 99.

JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald

When Solarize La Plata announced its campaign to install 100 solar photovoltaic systems to provide electricity to homes and businesses by the end of summer, there were some naysayers.

On Wednesday, the campaign, which is coordinated by the Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency, announced that the 99th contract has been signed.

Teresa Shishim, 4Core program manager, said that 387 people signed up for the program, and five solar contractors have distributed 219 proposals. Fifty-one systems have already been installed. Nothing counts toward the 100 goal except a contract that has been signed on the dotted line.

Solarize La Plata harnessed the economy of buying in bulk to make solar energy more affordable for local residents.

abutler@durangoherald.com