Colorado Springs home first in state to receive low-income solar installation

A Colorado Springs home is the first in the state to receive low-income solar installation.

“It’s fantastic. There’s no way I could afford to put up eight panels up,” said Lynn Gramoll, homeowner.

Lynn Gramoll and his family are the first in Colorado to receive a solar rooftop combined with energy efficient measures.

“This couple had difficulty paying a high energy bill and they have kind of a limited income. So here we are doing energy efficiency. We did installation in the home, made it more efficient and now adding a little renewable to bring their electric bill down,” said Howard Brooks, executive director for Energy Resource Center.

The solar panels will save the family $20 or more a month.

“I wouldn’t have been able to afford that, so it’s fantastic,” Grammoll said.

The Colorado Energy Office, Energy Resource Center and Colorado Springs Utilities are completing the installation of a 2kW rooftop solar array as part of the state’s Weatherization Assistance Program.

In addition to rooftop solar panels, the project home will receive insulation, storm windows, low-flow shower heads, LED bulbs and a refrigerator. These integrated measures will save an estimated $600 annually in energy costs.

“The benefits are people have control over their electric production, they can lower their bills and be more green,” said Deborah Mathis, program manager for Colorado Springs Utilities.

The project demonstrates the feasibility of combining energy efficiency measures with rooftop solar offerings to help reduce utility bills for those paying more than 4 percent of household income on energy costs.

“Thanks for everyone being here, it’s exciting to be the first one to receive the program,” Gramoll said.

Four more families will receive the solar installation in the upcoming months.