Initiatives In Denver To Expand The Solar Energy Grid And Make It More Affordable

The Front Range urban corridor is likely to experience record-breaking September temperatures today and tomorrow. Three elementary schools in the Denver Public Schools system will not open today and another 30 schools will release students early because of the lack of air conditioning in the facilities. Heat waves tend to put a strain on the electrical grid and the City and County of Denver has started to incentivize renewable energy transitions.

One of these projects is with Solar United Neighbors, which has helped 100 families install solar panels via energy cooperatives. Denver has also created the Solar Equity Rebate Program that allows those to qualify to get $8,000 off their system. To qualify households must make less than 100% of the area median income. For more on the solar cooperative program and the rebates, KGNU’s Rossana Longo-Better spoke with Lee Valenzuela, Community Energy Programs Administrator at the City and County of Denver.