Solarize Canton gains momentum
The folks who live in Canton, Conn. are so excited about solar that their collective buying power is bringing the price down.
Solarize Canton is one of five Solarize Connecticut programs underway in Bridgeport, Mansfield, Windham and Coventry designed to encourage home and business owners to install solar photovoltaic panels.
The program is supported by the Connecticut Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority. And it seems to be modeled after the successful Solarize Massachusetts program, which has encouraged homeowners there to make the switch to solar power. Communities compete to participate in the program and the state selects a handful at a time.
Some have been state or community-sponsored. Others, like some in rural New York, were created by the solar installers themselves.
Solarize programs have gained popularity nationally and have had tremendous success in some communities. So far, it looks like Solarize Canton could be one of those significant success stories. The town, which launched its education and outreach and discounted tiered pricing structure with Ross Solar Group earlier this month, has already had enough interest from residents to reach tier three pricing.
Applicants have until July 12 to commit to the program, according to a release from Ross Solar Group, which won the contract to provide installation services as well as outreach programming for Solarize Canton.
The company launched a new Solar Wealth Calculator for Canton this week, which will allow homeowners to enter their information online and get an instant cost and savings estimate for installing solar through the program.
The solar installer reported that more than 75 Canton homeowners have expressed interest in the program. And on top of homeowners committing to going solar themselves, Ross executives and town administrators have said several residents have signed on to be “solar ambassadors,” helping to get the word out to the rest of the community about the program