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Paradox solar project open for reservations
Interest has been high among SMPA members
By Collin McRann
Staff reporter
As new rows of photovoltaic panels rise from the floor of the Paradox Valley west of Telluride, so has interest in buying into the community solar project.
The project, which is owned by San Miguel Power Association, comes with a unique purchasing opportunity. Anyone who receives a SMPA electric bill — homeowners, renters, second homeowners, organizations or government entities — can buy into the project. Up to 100 percent of electricity used during the past year can be purchased in the form of solar panels at the project site.
However, until the project’s completion, planned for October, panels will only be reserved for later purchase.
Kristin Kuhlman, who represents the Carbondale-based Clean Energy Collective, a private organization that will operate the solar farm once it’s complete, said panel reservations have been brisk. She said the Telluride area specifically has been enthusiastic about project. But other areas within the SMPA such as Ridgway, Ouray and Redvale, have all had members express interest.
“People are very enthusiastic, and the interest is somewhat overwhelming,” said Kuhlman. “It’s been fantastic. The demand is very high, and we’re starting to get a lot more reservations.”
She said in Telluride one group, second homeowners, has expressed a lot of interest, but the CEC and SMPA have also been talking to local governments and other organizations about the possibility of purchasing panels.
A single panel costs $705, and they are expected to generate around $45 worth of electricity per year. However, over the life of the project, in combination with tax exemptions and other factors, buying panels in Paradox is around 30 percent less expensive than installing them where they will be used, Kuhlman said.
“The owner of the panel never has to go to the garden and fix it or make sure it’s working up to standards,” said Kuhlman. “And it’s owned, maintained and insured for the next 50 years.”
The ownership of the panels can also be sold or given to other SMPA members.
Though no specific numbers have been released, Kuhlman said the entire farm could potentially be reserved by the time it becomes operational.
Construction has been moving quickly, and the 235-watt panels are going up at a rate of around 300 per day. And all 4,680 of them are expected to be in place by October. Once complete, the SMPA will own the solar farm, and CEC will operate it. The collective is a private organization with the aim of operating and maintaining solar arrays.
The seven-acre project broke ground July 31 and once complete will generate around 1 megawatt of power, or enough to power around 200 average homes in the U.S.
“We’re talking with the towns of Telluride and Mountain Village and with the Telluride Mountain Village Owners Association and some of the larger businesses,” said Kuhlman. “We’re really trying to reach out and trying to meet with anyone and different organizations.”
The project, which is owned by San Miguel Power Association, comes with a unique purchasing opportunity. Anyone who receives a SMPA electric bill — homeowners, renters, second homeowners, organizations or government entities — can buy into the project. Up to 100 percent of electricity used during the past year can be purchased in the form of solar panels at the project site.
However, until the project’s completion, planned for October, panels will only be reserved for later purchase.
Kristin Kuhlman, who represents the Carbondale-based Clean Energy Collective, a private organization that will operate the solar farm once it’s complete, said panel reservations have been brisk. She said the Telluride area specifically has been enthusiastic about project. But other areas within the SMPA such as Ridgway, Ouray and Redvale, have all had members express interest.
“People are very enthusiastic, and the interest is somewhat overwhelming,” said Kuhlman. “It’s been fantastic. The demand is very high, and we’re starting to get a lot more reservations.”
She said in Telluride one group, second homeowners, has expressed a lot of interest, but the CEC and SMPA have also been talking to local governments and other organizations about the possibility of purchasing panels.
A single panel costs $705, and they are expected to generate around $45 worth of electricity per year. However, over the life of the project, in combination with tax exemptions and other factors, buying panels in Paradox is around 30 percent less expensive than installing them where they will be used, Kuhlman said.
“The owner of the panel never has to go to the garden and fix it or make sure it’s working up to standards,” said Kuhlman. “And it’s owned, maintained and insured for the next 50 years.”
The ownership of the panels can also be sold or given to other SMPA members.
Though no specific numbers have been released, Kuhlman said the entire farm could potentially be reserved by the time it becomes operational.
Construction has been moving quickly, and the 235-watt panels are going up at a rate of around 300 per day. And all 4,680 of them are expected to be in place by October. Once complete, the SMPA will own the solar farm, and CEC will operate it. The collective is a private organization with the aim of operating and maintaining solar arrays.
The seven-acre project broke ground July 31 and once complete will generate around 1 megawatt of power, or enough to power around 200 average homes in the U.S.
“We’re talking with the towns of Telluride and Mountain Village and with the Telluride Mountain Village Owners Association and some of the larger businesses,” said Kuhlman. “We’re really trying to reach out and trying to meet with anyone and different organizations.”
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BobTony wrote on Sep 3, 2012 9:38 AM:
What an economic catastrophe this project is...how about some intelligent number crunching journalism here? "