Cooperative continues local solar-energy push

The Clintonville Energy Cooperative will gather April 11 to explore the question, “Is solar energy right for you?”

The 25 or so members of the cooperative — some of whom have installed solar systems at their residences, while others continue to grapple with the cost-versus-benefit issue — have been studying a community approach to the alternative energy source for the past year, said Deborah Crawford, one of the founders.

They feel they now have some answers, she said last week, and want to share them with others at the workshop, which will be held from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. April 11 in the auditorium of the Whetstone Community Center, 3923 N. High St.

“We feel we’ve made some headway and want to open the doors and invite others to come along on the journey with us,” Crawford said. “We just feel like the time is right.”

“For me, it has been the process that you have to go through,” said Brian Brown, another member of the cooperative. “I’m a kind of DIY type of person, and I’m trying to understand what the process is and how much of it I can do, how much can the cooperative add into and what are the options.”

The meeting is open to anyone, but Crawford said it is primarily geared to engaging more people in creating a solar community within Clintonville. Brown said the work being done by the cooperative could serve as a model for similar efforts in other parts of Columbus.

“Eventually, we would love it if other communities do this,” Crawford said.

The April 11 workshop will outline the key steps to assessing if solar energy is the right option for residents, according to an announcement.

Those who attend are encouraged to bring their most-recent electric bills.

The bills will be used to determine electric usage needed for sizing potential solar installations, the announcement stated.

Those who attend will learn about the basic steps in providing solar energy for their homes, including siting and shading, roof and engineering issues, permits, cost estimates and financing.

The Clintonville Electric Cooperative, which Brown said has a goal of at least one solar house on every street in the neighborhood, is in the process of piloting eight installations at the homes of members.

“It appears to me that it is feasible and it is viable,” Brown said. “The question is how much solar do you want to put into your house, and then the payback time on your investment.”

“I feel like we’re more ready to open it up to the entire community because we feel like we know a little more now, and we need the entire community to make this work,” Crawford said.

Cooperative continues local solar-energy push