The Left Coast Fund

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Greg Tally (User: (WT-shared) WineCountryInn at wts wikivoyage) A grant to the American Solar Energy Society's Zero Emissions Network program (ZEN) in Boulder, Colorado will be used for micro-grants to build residential solar installations and possibly a commercial array, all targeted at lower income individuals who might not otherwise consider investing in solar, with installations beginning by spring of 2020.    It costs an average of $21,000 to purchase a solar array for a Boulder home, and for 2020 the federal government is offering a 26% Solar Investment Tax Credit, which would effectively discount $5,460 off the initial cost, leaving $15,540 to pay cash or borrow for the purchase.  For lower income people one stressor is that if they take out a loan to pay for their solar installation, the monthly payment on that loan is typically higher than their utility bill used to be, so they don't see a monthly savings on their household expenses until that loan i

This renewable energy project is the only effort, at this scale, led by high school students in the greater Madison area that addresses the need for increasing student awareness of environmental issues. Thus, the importance of this project is significant; were the school or district to install solar panels without the initiative being led by high school students, the impact of this project would be greatly mitigated: no sustainable, long-term increase in awareness of energy efficiency among students at Madison West High School would be made. With this project driven by students, however, the entire student and staff body will have the opportunity to recognize the existence of an organized, committed effort to improve the sustainability of Madison West High School, only furthering the materialization of other student-led projects with an aim towards promoting environmental awareness.   More info about the project HERE The Left Coast Fund has a challenge grant offer to the

Lincoln Park Solar Garden, Duluth, MN—Providing veterans and low-income families with renewable power Partial funding from the Left Coast Fund Matching Grant Challenge The development of the Lincoln Park Solar Garden is underway in Duluth, Minnesota, a project that will provide power for homeless veterans and seed an emergency energy fund for low-income families. The iconic 40 kilowatt array will stand at the entrance to the Lincoln Park neighborhood and feature opportunities for community education and neighborhood revitalization led by Ecolibrium3, a local nonprofit organization.      One quarter of the array will power the Duluth Veterans’ Place, a project by the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans that provides housing and services to Duluth’s veteran population. Their work has effectively ended homelessness among veterans in northeastern Minnesota and the value of the solar power will allow them to spend less on operational costs and more on veteran serv

Townsend Family Farm, Key West----organic farming powered by solar energy. Partial funding provided by Left Coast Fund.   Project info directly from the Townsends: "We began farming in Key West, FL in 2017 and we have grown our farm very organically over the last two years.   We are expanding our current farm and are setting up a greenhouse to produce more much needed locally sourced vegetables for our little island community at the end of the Florida Keys. How we grow on an island: We grow aeroponically and vertically! Our aeroponic towers are perfect for Key West where the soil is rocky and where fresh water is scarce. Our farming system uses 80% less water than conventional farming and minimizes damage from pests and plant disease. The amount of sunlight and ideal weather here add to the mix to ensure success with growing. We have adopted rainwater collection and solar power as means to grow here on the island. We ensure our highest standards are met by m

NH Solar Shares Community Solar PV Project, Warren, New Hampshire Appleknockers General Store South Facing Roof Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative located at Appleknockers General Store in Warren, NH.  Estimated system size 28 kW.     NH Solar Shares is a program run by the Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative designed to share solar energy with income eligible families, increase the portion of solar energy on the grid and contribute to a healthier environment. “When we first heard about NH Solar Shares and their mission to bring the benefits of solar energy to local families in our area, we were immediately interested,” said store owner, Tori Berger.   “We want to support our local community in any way we can and we have the perfect roof for installing solar panels.”    NH Solar Shares built their first community solar project in Plymouth, NH last Fall on the hillside behind the Frosty Scoops ice cream stand owned by the Common Man Family of Restaurants