
By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington-Normal is up to the ‘solar’ challenge.
Thirty-two homes and businesses in the Twin Cities signed up for solar through an effort pushed by the Ecology Action Center and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association.
“Urbana-Champaign had a few more individuals going solar, but it’s been an incredible response,” said solar program manager with Midwest Renewable Energy Association, Peter Murphy.
The deadline to take part in the program was Oct. 31.
The purchases added up to 434 kilowatts of solar energy, Straight Up Solar of Bloomington was offering an additional three percent discount though its solar group buy program if the goal 250 kilowatts was met.
Its largest solo array will include the new Green Top Grocery that’s part of the Foundry development that’s scheduled to open next year.
Murphy said the goal is to bring down the cost of solar energy as more buy it, but he says solar energy is the rare investment in a home that pays for itself over time.
“There’s an up-front expense, but it’s one of the only investments in your home that will pay for itself over time,” Murphy said.
Several hundred people attended informational sessions the groups hosted in the spring to try to sell people on solar power.
Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.