Boone’s Solar System

Installation of Boone’s First Community Owned Solar Project Complete

Story by Owen Gray

AIRE Executive Director Steve Owen stands on the roof of The Greenhouse, next to the newly installed solar panels. Photo by Owen Gray

The Appalachian Institute for Renewable Energy (AIRE) has taken a step towards independence from coal-produced energy. This week the group completed installation of a 2.5-kilowatt photovoltaic solar electric system on the roof of their home office, The Greenhouse in Boone.

Graduate students from the ASU Department of Appropriate Technologies completed the installation of the system, also known as the Boone Community Solar Project.

“This is just the first step,” said Steve Owen, executive director of AIRE. “Our vision is that more systems like this one will go up all over Boone.”

Owen said that the idea driving the solar project is local sustainable economic development. They’re trying to create a system that the community can own and benefit from.

As part of this goal, the project has been divided into shares that can be purchased by community members. According to Owen, the going rate for one share is $250 and only 25 shares are available. The purchase of a share entitles the owner to membership in the project and allows them to vote in any and all decision-making processes.

“This way the project becomes similar to a cooperative,” said Owen.

He wanted to make it abundantly clear though that this is an experiment to help refine the model and not an investment opportunity.

The project is an experiment that Owen and AIRE want everyone to benefit from. The 2.5 kilowatts that the solar panels on top of The Greenhouse generate go directly into the community power grid. Their goal is to have enough sustainable energy systems installed on the rooftops of local businesses by 2012 to contribute 1 megawatt of energy to the grid.

“Some people have told me that 1 megawatt is impossible, but I know of places in California that contribute 25 megawatts to their grids through renewable energy,” said Owen. “So I think, why not here? Let’s show people it can be done.”

Besides purchasing a share, people wishing to get involved in the project can also make tax-deductible donations. Mental Insight Foundation, a group with similar goals to AIRE based in Sonoma County, Calif. has offered $15,000 to match donations made. Donations will help the Boone Community Solar Project and other projects that AIRE undertakes.

The Greenhouse, located at 164 Depot Street in Boone, is owned by Gang of 5, LLC, a group of local investors. It serves as an environmentally friendly office building that provides flexible rental opportunities to local businesses.

For more information on AIRE, the Boone Community Solar Project, or to learn about purchasing shares or making donations, call Steve Owen at 828-268-5022 or click to www.aire-nc.org.