The group walked over to one of the sites in Fowler—where Vibrant Soalr had installed a 13.8 kilowatts ground-mounted solar array—to cut the ribbon. Cop cars swarmed and sped through the cross streets during the walk.

It was about 70 degrees outside, not a cloud in the sky. No one made a climate-change joke, but it would have been appropriate.

After everyone was settled in, Robert Quist, Vibrant’s director of sales and manager of the Fowler project, spoke to the crowd about how it came to be.

“When Wayne Snider approached me about the idea of a solar array in Fowler, I didn’t think it would work,” said Quist. “A project like this one is always the wrong size: too small to attract the kind of institutional money that typically entices utility scale solar, but too large and complicated for all but the most visionary small investors.”

J.A. solar was that investor. The company will lease the power to Fowler.

Vibrant learned a lot, according to Quist, during the project, and can take the model elsewhere.

After Quist was finished, Ben Jones, CEO of Helios Solar, Vibrant’s sister company, spoke to the crowd. His company is trying to set up a solar manufacturing facility in the town.

“I hope to be spending a lot of time in Fowler over the next few months,” said Jones. “Helios solar is trying to build the next generation of solar power, and we are seriously considering Fowler for the location for our lead manufacturing facility.”

There are some loose ends before Jones can begin construction. But the prospect of jobs to this small town is nothing to scoff at.

“We are on the brink of clearing the investment we need to bring many good clean energy jobs to the town of fowler,” said Jones, and the crowd exploded with cheers. “I’m hoping to make an official announcement in the next few weeks. We can all work together and really make this happen.”

Finally it was time to cut the ribbon.

“There are reporters in Denver that joke that I’ve never met a solar panel I didn’t like,” said Gov. Ritter as he approached the solar array.

Snider and Ritter tried to cut the ribbon with a large pair of scissors that, apparently, didn’t work. Snider snuck a small pair from under his jacket and snipped the ribbon.

The crowd cheered and then dispersed. Everyone spread around, assembling in small groups.

Jones was mobbed by a few well-dressed men and women, and Gov. Ritter was immediately hounded by reporters, who plugged him into a wireless mic.

And behind the Governor, the children, who had sat quietly through the speeches all day, began to hug the solar array.

Story continues here. 

Pictured: Children embrace Vibrant's solar array.