Letter to the Editor: 129 thinking about solar

Thank you, editor, for your continued support of Skagit County Clean Energy Cooperative. I am compelled to correct some of last week’s front page article, “Solarize Skagit to power 129 homes.” Solarize Skagit had 129 homeowners sign up for the program. A “sign up” means the homeowner filled out an on-line form. Once “signed up” the homeowner receives a site visit from one of the three pre-vetted installers and if their home is conducive for solar the homeowner receives a cost estimate. At that point they make a decision to purchase solar or not. Then installation is scheduled and completed. A sign up is not a commitment to go solar.

Regarding Question #4 that I was asked: Can people sign up late/continue to sign up? How?

My written response was “No. The sign up ends July 4. We have to honor the agreement made with the installer to offer a time-limited offer for the negotiated lower price solar at $2.81/wt. But once signed up participants work with the installers on a schedule.” I never said “or about $3.65 before that 30% federal tax credit.” If I had made such a calculation it would have been $2.81/watt less the tax credit. Not more.

Although the Solarize Skagit program is winding down for this year we are still very much in the process of moving people through the Solarize program and people will be popping up and closing deals all through the rest of July and likely some into August. We are excited to start back up again in 2024 building on this year’s efforts.

Thank you,

Mary Wohleb

Vice President, SVCEC