||Leadville and Lake County Solar Garden

Be a Part of the Solar Garden. Sign Up Now.

The Lake County Solar Garden will be approximately 50-200 kilowatts (kW) in size in year one, with the possibility of expansion if successful. You must live in Lake County to be eligible. It will be built in Summer 2012 on Lake County land, pending the release of the Xcel Energy program this year or early next year.

We are currently accepting interested subscribers. Xcel Energy will release rules for a limited number of Colorado solar gardens by the end of the year (6MW). We will have an application ready for that release. We are gathering a list of interested subscribers NOW.

We will be able to give final pricing numbers after Xcel releases their offering. Subscribers will not be asked for a down payment until the Xcel final rules have been released. Subscribers will not pay for their share until the system is up and running.

THE NUMBERS

Simple payback on your investment : approximately 10-15 years

Price per kW: $2,000 - $2,500

Annual ROI: 6-7%

A kilowatt of power production produces approximately 1,400 - 1,900 kwh annually.

If you purchase 1 kW, you will receive approximately $15 off your electricity bill monthly for the clean energy your subscription produces.

WE NOW HAVE A CONFIRMED MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTION

If you want to pay into your solar garden subscription the same way you pay your utility bill, you can. This requires no down payment. Your combined new payment for electricity through the solar garden and Xcel will be equal to, or 10% less, than what you are currently paying. The big difference? You will be getting clean solar power and you will be paying less per month.

Download Subscriber Interest Form as a PDF or Fillable PDF

Project Developer: Solar Panel Hosting http://www.solarpanelhosting.com

Solar Gardener - Project Manager: Lynne Greene, High Country Conservation Center, (970) 668-5703

Why a Solar Garden?

- The Lake County Solar Garden will be located on County land, near the junction of CR10 and HW24. It is a flat and sunny location, optimally sited for solar production. If your roof is not perfect for solar, buying a share in the county solar garden is a great option for you.

- The subscriber organization takes care of maintenance and operations. You don't have to worry about the strength of your roof or where to put the panels.

- If you plan to sell your home, your share is transferable to any electricity meter in the county. You can either sell your subscription with your home, or separately.

- Businesses qualify. Renters qualify. Any individual or entity with an electric meter in Lake County can subscribe. Monthly payment options will be available.

TIMELINE

If Xcel Energy accepts our application in 2012, the solar array will be built in Summer 2012. Subscribers will not pay for their share until the system is built and they will be guaranteed solar production within a month of purchasing their share. You can reserve your share now and pay for it when the system is up and running. You will likely be asked for a deposit when the Xcel program is released.

WHAT DO WE NEED TO MAKE THIS WORK?

1. Land. Lake County has just entered into an agreement with Solar Panel Hosting, to move forward with the site on CR10, south of town.

2. Subscribers.

3. A developer and special purpose entity, that will take care of the up-front project costs, ensure that we have a monthly payment options, and ensure operations, maintenance and longevity of the project. Our project developer is Solar Panel Hosting http://www.solarpanelhosting.com

Why subscribe with HC3?

HC3 is coordinating Lake County's Solar Garden. We are currently working with Lake County, Solar Panel Hosting, and other local partners to ensure a successful application to Xcel Energy.