The Solarize Carrboro project benefits Carrboro residents, and creating similar projects across the area would be advantageous for the community.
Related movements have recently cropped up in a couple of other nearby cities, as seen in Durham and Raleigh projects that are also in their infancy.
The project allows community members to collectively bargain for lower solar panel prices, which will lead to savings for residents and more business for solar installers, albeit at a lower price per house.
The original 2009 solarize movement in Oregon was popular, although some solar contractors were critical of the movement for the market barriers it created for competitive solar installers that weren’t chosen to partner with.
The project is currently accepting applications from solar installers it may contract to provide the panel installations. Those in charge should attempt to spread business drawn by the project to as many installers as possible while still maintaining low prices, at least at first. Failing to do so would be unfair to area solar installers that offer competitive service and rates.
However, the project will likely raise awareness for solar energy in the area, and as more local consumers become more informed about the solar energy market, they will become more confident in choosing an installer for themselves, giving more business to any competitive installer.
Solar energy usage has long-term benefits both for the environment and for residents’ bank accounts, provided that installation costs are reasonable.
The solarize movement makes this possible, leaving few drawbacks to expanding to other areas across the Triangle.
