Solarize Sacopee

The ‘Solarize’ model has its roots in the Pacific Northwest, when a group of concerned citizens who wanted to go solar tried to find a way to reduce the upfront installed cost.

Solarize programs make solar less expensive for everyone, because the solar installer (in this case, leading local installer ReVision Energy) can achieve much greater efficiencies of scale, and allow that savings to be passed on to the consumer.

Solarize Sacopee came to be thanks to a grassroots group, Ossipee Towns for Sustainability. The members of the OTFS get together to follow the ‘transition town’ model, a movement that started in the UK that works to get a community to be fiscally local – encompassing food, transportation, and, of course, energy.

Asked about how he got interested in Solarize, OTFS member Peter Christensen said:

Many of us at OTFS were curious solar, but were not sure where to start. We initially did a ‘Make Your Own Solar Panel’ workshop – we had an expert from New York present a session where we learned how to solder together silicon cells and weatherproof them to build a 65-watt solar module. It was a great learning experience, but when we did the math, we determined that it is more economically viable to buy commercially made modules than to make your own!

The next phase was us trying to figure out how to find a local commercial solar installer. I actually learned about ReVision Energy because one of their staff members was in an anti-tar sands rally. I thought, ‘This is a company who has a passion for what they are doing.’

Ultimately we had Jen Hatch come out to do a talk in a very informal living room setting, which created more enthusiasm. The idea of us coming together as a “Solarize” Community was born.

ReVision Energy is thrilled to be part of Maine's first community-organized Solarize Campaign!

Solar is a fantastic way to reduce your electric bills and go greener. The cost of solar panels has dropped by more than 50% in the last five years and systems can be financed with no-money down, allowing you to trade your electric bill for a reliable monthly payment.

See ReVision Energy's website for more information, or join us at a Solarize Sacopee event!  We will be hosted open houses and informational talks over the next few months to spread word about the program.

The more people who join, the more everyone saves!