Welcome
A Solar Garden is a community shared solar array with grid-connected subscribers. Homes and businesses, even if shaded by trees, receive a bill credit as if the panels were on their own roof using “virtual net metering”. The Solar Gardens Institute (SGI) provides tools and training to co-develop community solar arrays. Land owners, community groups, local governments, utilities and solar integrators – contact us to learn more.
- Each Power Flower icon represents a SGI Solar Garden project or group.
- Each Solar Panel icon represents an existing Solar Garden (non-SGI).
Conventional Energy Model - A one way system - energy flows to you, money flows away
Community Energy Model - A neighborhood array provides power for homes and businesses and sells excess to the grid
Link: Colorado Community Solar Gardens Final Rules – September 12, 2011
Says SolarGardens.org founder Joy Hughes, “Now everyone can go solar. For the first time, low-income homeowners and renters will be able to go solar. Solar gardens are sprouting up everywhere!”
By pooling resources and buying panels as a group, a community can save money and give subscribers a lower cost than going it alone.
Visit the About page and FAQ to learn more about organizing your community to go solar!
Top links:
Colorado PUC Solar Gardens Rule Making
June 5, 2010 – Governor Ritter Signs Community Solar Gardens Act
