Seattle builders simplify residential solar

By Douglas Reiser

Solar power is going residential in Seattle. While we have long had great Seattle solar installers, recent programs are making it easier to acquire the technology without much of a struggle.

Residents of Queen Anne can now rejoice over the release of a new program entitled “Solarize Queen Anne.” Residents of other neighborhoods might be soon to follow.

Solarize Seattle is working with a local builder to bring low-cost solar installations to Seattle’s homes. The program was initiated by Northwest SEED, a local non-profit organization.

The goal of the program is to both educate homeowners on the benefit of solar power, and provide a means to obtain low-cost installations at consumers’ homes.

The plan is to open the program to each of Seattle’s neighborhoods, but they recently launched their first initiative in Queen Anne. According to the press release:

Solarize Queen Anne provides a way for residents to get solar panels installed on their homes for less cost than that of a typical solar installation. In addition, the project will incorporate a large amount of education about the benefits of solar energy. A similar program initiated in Portland last year witnessed unprecedented success, more than quadrupling the number of residential solar installations in that city.

Check out their website for more information on the program. I expect the program to continue to grow over the next year.

If you are not interested in waiting for the program to expand to your neighborhood, consider contacting one of the local leaders in solar installations. Great local companies like Puget Sound Solar will offer free estimates to those inquiring about a solar installation.

Read full story…

Appeared in The Builders Counsel Blog on January 3, 2011.

Leave a Reply