Today’s guest on Morning Line featured Kristen Collins, an organizer at the Alaska Center. She spoke with Morning Line host Frank Chythlook about Solarized Anchorage, a new program happening in the communities of Anchorage.
Solarize Anchorage is a new campaign that brings neighborhoods together through the use of solar energy. A joint program between the Alaska Center and the Alaska Center for Energy and power (ACEP), it is intended to make residential and small commercial solar photovoltaic (PV) energy systems more accessible and affordable for homeowners and commercial property owners in Anchorage. “What we have found is the most common barrier people face is the high up front cost. It brings down the upfront costs for residential users and expands the amount of people that are able to participate based on cost savings.”
Collins’ favorite part of the Solarized Anchorage project is being able to keep money in your pockets. “Every month you see those costs savings in your utility bills.” An average home system is typically paid off in 10 years, based off monthly utility bill savings. Today, the first system is being installed with a zero power emission from the residence, meaning the energy comes directly from the solar panels.
The deadline to apply for the campaign is June 1, with 13 households already signing contracts for a system install.
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