For many people, solar power is out of reach, because it is too expensive or because they don’t have a good place to put panels. But there is a new option for residents in Tacoma.
Tacoma Power is launching a community venture for customers who want to invest in solar energy without buying their own equipment.
Chris Gleason is communications manager at Tacoma Public Utilities. She says the initiative allows Tacoma to branch out into more forms of renewable energy.
“Tacoma is in a great position, because we are fully renewable. Our electricity is hydropower, which is 100 percent carbon free. But people want to see other types of renewable energy out there,” Gleason said.
The Community Solar program works like a stock investment. Investors pay for shares and receive dividends when the city starts making a profit on electricity from a solar farm at a central location. Gleason says that should happen within four years.
Such programs have already been successful in Seattle, where Seattle City Light has four community solar projects, scattered throughout the city.
This will be the first in Pierce County.
Ryan Cox is one of about 900 Tacoma Power customers who have already registered. He says he thinks it is a good opportunity that he does not want to miss out on.
“Community Solar is a way I can get involved without having to put up the full, upfront cost,” Cox said.
Tacoma Power says customers would have to spend 20 times as much money putting solar panels on their own homes to get the same return on investment.
Customers can now pre-register to buy units through the Tacoma Public Utilities website. The solar panels are expected to be operational in February.
Natalie DeFord produced this story. It is part of the KPLU-PLU Student Reporting Project.
