The Colorado Energy Office is beginning a solar pilot project it believes is the first of its kind in the country. Five solar energy projects will supply electricity to about 300 low-income individuals.
Joseph Pereira, head of the state weatherization office, says even after homes are weatherproofed to cut energy costs, low-income households are still often paying a higher percentage of their income on energy than average.
"So we had to look at what kind of approaches can we take on the electric side of the bill to bring those bills into parity and so solar generation rose to the top," Pereira said.
The five demonstration projects will be built by Delta-Montrose Electric, Gunnison County Electric, San Miguel Power, Yampa Valley Power and Holy Cross Energy in Aspen and Vail. Grid Alternatives, a nonprofit, will install the projects.
