The Columbus Community Solar Initiative hopes to get 1,000 solar panels installed in Columbus by the end of 2016.
Allen Gifford is the latest to participate in that initiative. He's purchasing solar panels for his house from Third Sun Solar. Workers are installing 38 panels, enough to generate around 10 kilowatts of power on a sunny day.
"[The garage] faces south and it's at an angle that is pretty good for collecting solar," says Gifford.
CCSI negotiated a discounted rate on a large group purchase of solar panels.
This month, crews are installing 136 panels as part of the group buy. Gifford is among the first five residents to get the solar panels.
"We're adding value to our house," Gifford says. "We're doing something unique that if we ever sell it, hopefully somebody else will find it valuable. In the meantime, we hope to reap some of the benefits of a lower electric bill."
With less than four months left in the timeline to reach 1,000 solar panels, the group is at 13 percent of its overall goal. Aside from the five installations happening this month, an additional 11 people signed letters of intent to show their interest in purchasing solar panels.