Letter to Editor | Get in on OPALCO Solar Project

— from Sharon Abreu —

I want to make sure that you know about the community solar project that OPALCO is planning. This is a big deal. We are so fortunate to live in a region with a progressive, renewable energy friendly co-op. This project is going to be the largest community solar project in the state of WA. And if it sells out, particularly if it sells out with a long wait list, OPALCO plans to get started on a second project right away.

Right now, with only one week left before the subscription period ends, it’s 85 percent subscribed.

Community solar is the perfect option for people who have considered putting solar on their homes, but it doesn’t work because they have too many trees (like me). With a community solar project, you pay up front and sign a 20 year lease for the number of units you decide (1 panel = 5 units). OPALCO operates and maintains the system. You get a deduction every month on your OPALCO bill for the amount of energy produced by your units. After +/- 10 years, you get your investment back and from then on you continue to reap the benefits of reduced monthly bills for the remainder of the term of the 20 year contract.

If you sign up for the maximum number of units allowed in the program, you can offset most or all of your energy usage. A friend of mine did this – she said the cost is nearly the same as it would cost to put their own system on their roof, but without the hassle of having to maintain it. However, you don’t have to invest a large sum of money. You can get in on the program with the lease of a single unit, which is a one-time investment of $150. Or you can invest in any multiple of that that you decide. I believe that all of us who care passionately about the environment should invest in at least one panel if we can afford to do so. Not only is it a symbolic gesture of support, but it will help to determine how quickly OPALCO gets to work on a second project.

There’s a very cool calculator on the website that you can play with to get a better idea of how this works: energysavings.opalco.com/energy-savings/renewable-generation/community-solar/.