Descripción

This revolving loan fund makes solar electric systems (grid-tied photovoltaic solar panels and solar thermal hot water systems) affordable to home and business owners in Whatcom and Skagit Counties, Washington. The Whatcom 1000 Solar Rooftop Project makes funds available at a low interest rate for up to a 25-year loan repayment period. The maximum loan per site is $5,000. The loan is funded from private, individual, foundation, and government contributions.

The loan can be used for single family housing, multiple family housing, family-owned farms, and business owners. Participants must own the property where the system will be installed. There must be adequate solar exposure over a four-season period. The installation location must be in Whatcom or Skagit County. There must be existing utility service. The existing electrical system must be able to pass inspection. Participants must be willing to sign the net metering agreement with Puget Sound Energy.

Pilot systems have already been installed at the Community Food Co-op, Whatcom County Senior Center, and Whatcom County Park, and additional systems will be installed at other locations.

The Whatcom 1000 Solar Rooftop project will advocate, site, finance, and install 1000 solar rooftop projects by December 31, 2010. The project could produce more than 1 Mw/hour of electricity and offset 65 million pounds of smog and greenhouse gases over the next 25 to 50 years. The project will use education to shift the community’s thinking toward using renewable power generating systems.