The deadline for business and home owners to join a cooperative installing solar systems in Mesa County has been extended to Sept. 1.

The Mesa County Solar Co-op has more than 100 members. Membership is free and open to anyone interested in installing solar systems.

Atlasta Solar Center in Grand Junction was selected through an open bidding process to install systems for the co-op. Atlasta Solar provides individual proposals to members, but offers pricing based on bulk purchases.

“Even during a global pandemic, 100 homes and business owners have seized the opportunity to take a look at how much solar could save them,” said Darin Carei, principal owner of Atlasta Solar.

Mike Adcock, owner of Adcock Concrete, said he expects the solar system installed on the roof of his Grand Junction business will save more than $4,000 this year alone.

Wendy Metzger, owner of the Grand Valley Greens, said she’s going to have a system installed at the aquaponic farm in Loma because of the financial benefits. “My biggest expensive is my utility costs, and solar is going to bring that down much, much lower than it is right now. And my return on investment is going to be fairly quick.”

Solar United Neighbors, a nonprofit organization that represents solar owners and supporters, launched the Mesa County Solar Co-op in partnership with the Western Colorado Alliance for Community Action. Alpine Bank and the Western Colorado Community Foundation provided financial support.

Bryce Carter, Colorado program director for Solar United Neighbors, said the co-op offers many benefits. “We’re proud the local business generated by the co-op will help to boost our local economy as it recovers from the effects of the pandemic by helping financial bottom lines while keeping energy dollars local.”

Carter said he hopes more business and home owners take advantage of those benefits. “We felt pushing the deadline back to September 1 gives more families and businesses the chance to further explore this opportunity to learn what going solar means for them.”

For more information about the Mesa County Solar Co-op, visit the website located at
https://coops.solarunitedneighbors.org/coops/mesa-county-solar-co-op.