York Electric Cooperative is rolling out an array of efforts designed to take advantage of maturing solar technologies. The new programs and initiatives will benefit members by providing them with renewable energy options to consider while benefiting the co-op by allowing it to expand its energy portfolio to a number of alternatives to coal-, nuclear- and natural gas-fueled power sources.
The new programs include:
Quality assurance
YEC will offer members solar installation inspections by certified personnel to ensure quality, functionality and safety. This effort will ensure both the maximum performance of the solar cells and peace of mind for members. There will be a small charge for this service.
Maintenance of systems
Looking ahead to 2015, YEC is considering offering solar array maintenance as a service to members as an option to vendor contracts. If interested, please notify us at the co-op.
Preferred vendors
It is in the best interests of YEC’s members to ensure the best quality possible for products and installation, which is why YEC would develop an approval process for various solar installation companies. The benefit to the member is quality assurance plus vendors would commit to offering discounts up to $1500, exclusively for YEC’s members, on the purchase and installation of solar equipment. We have four vendors offering these discounts. They are: Southeast Energy Resources, LLC, Accelerate Solar, ReNu Energy Solutions and Sunstore Solar. Please contact us for more information.
Community solar
YEC is working now with several large residential developers on adding solar systems as a neighborhood amenity. The benefit for the developer is that the system could be built on available “green space,” which are areas difficult to build homes on but enjoy tax credits. The array could be deeded to the HOA (Homeowners Association), which could be used as a marketing tool for the developer. YEC would connect the system at the developer’s cost and the energy could be used to offset costs for subdivision lighting, community areas, etc.
Solar farm
YEC is considering offering partial ownership in a potential solar farm adjacent to a YEC substation. Under this proposed program, the member would buy a portion of the farm and receive a like percentage of the output toward their bill.
YEC would install and operate the farm, with regular maintenance cost spread among owners in a formula/ format to be determined. If you’re interested in purchasing solar capacity in the facility, please notify us at the co-op.
By Walter Allread
For information about all of YEC’s solar programs present and future, the point person to contact is YEC Member Services Representative Donna Dessaint. You can reach Donna at (803) 818-5213.
Related Topics:
Solar Energy
MySCSolar