GRID Alternatives Colorado (GRID CO) has been working with the City of Thornton to provide free solar systems to income-eligible homeowners through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs. One of GRID CO\u2019s outreach coordinators, Mikkela Blanton, caught up with Thornton resident James*, a former GRID CO client, to talk about his experience with GRID CO and solar energy. <\/p>\n
James is a senior approaching a fixed-income reality, and as such, he can certainly appreciate the energy cost savings that a GRID CO solar installation can provide. \u201cIn addition to the financial benefit,\u201d James explained, \u201cthere is a psychological benefit to being given the opportunity to be part of a collaboration of people passionate about the environment (GRID CO), a community acknowledging the need (the City of Thornton), and residents who are able to help the planet in a small way that their resources might not normally allow.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the primary caregiver for an aging parent during the COVID-19 crisis, James says that now more than ever, he\u2019s appreciative of the solar panels. Not only are the energy bills lower than they were before going solar, but \u201cthe fact that I don\u2019t have to worry about them at all is still very nice, yet they are still doing what they do. After the install was completed, it\u2019s been very maintenance-free, worry-free. I don\u2019t have to think about it, to tell you the truth. So that\u2019s been a blessing,\u201d said James. <\/p>\n
The conversation turned to climate change and its impacts, both globally and at the local level. \u201cI guarantee that we\u2019re all affected,\u201d James said, speaking of climate change. \u201cJust the nasty two summers we\u2019ve had in Colorado with the smoke\u2014this is an immediate sign we\u2019re impacted by climate change. The more that we destroy the earth, the more the earth isn\u2019t doing us any favors.\u201d <\/p>\n
James isn\u2019t just promoting renewable energy through his own solar system; he\u2019s also talking to friends and neighbors about it. \u201cI was able to talk a neighbor into getting solar with GRID CO,\u201d James told Blanton, \u201cbut what I really hope is that GRID CO can maybe expand out to other surrounding places, such as Utah and Wyoming. I would reach out to people I know there and pound them to do this!\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking of getting solar installed by GRID CO, Blanton asked James what he would say to someone on the fence about going solar with GRID CO. He gave a glowing review of the process:<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know why in the world a low-income family wouldn\u2019t want to attempt this,\u201d he declared, referring to the free solar program. \u201cIf nothing else, just the investigative process\u2014just having someone come out and take a look at the house and the roof, that alone can give peace of mind. In terms of savings, I can\u2019t imagine why in the long run anybody would have concerns and not be elated to have the opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Turning to his experience working with GRID CO, James said that each member of the team he interacted with had a \u201cwonderful, extraordinary, great personality!\u201d \u201cThe people with GRID CO were phenomenal,\u201d and the construction crew was \u201cmaybe even more meticulous than you would expect,\u201d going to great care with the construction, grounding, and electrical hookups. In short, he couldn\u2019t be more pleased with the process, GRID CO\u2019s team, and his panels. <\/p>\n