Atlasta Solar powers up the homeless shelter

Atlasta Solar powers up the homeless shelter



By Sharon Sullivan
Free Press Staff Writer,
The Homeward Bound of the Grand Valley homeless shelter, 2853 North Ave., is now partially solar-powered thanks to Atlasta Solar Center, a local solar company located down the street at 2923 North Ave.

Atlasta donated a 5 kilowatt-hour solar system to the homeless shelter in November.

The need was great and the timing was right, said Atlasta sales manager Lou Villaire.

“It fits well with their expansion plans,” Villaire said. “We had to situate the panels so they would not interfere with their planned reconstruction.”

The shelter plans to expand into 5,000 more square-feet at its existing 8,400-square-foot building to accommodate the growing number of people seeking shelter. Local churches are providing overnight shelter for winter months when the shelter is filled to capacity.

The relatively small system will help offset electricity bills, saving the shelter between $800 and $1,000 a year, Villaire said. As the cost of electricity goes up, the savings will increase.

Shelter Executive Director Gi Moon is grateful for the donation.

“When you compare it to the $12.50 cost for a night of safe shelter, two meals and a hot shower, that's significant,” Moon said, regarding the expected energy savings. “To us that's a tangible real difference, not to mention it allows us to be green.”

Atlasta donated the solar panels and the labor, keeping an Xcel rebate to offset the cost of the $45,000 system. That price would be considerably less for individuals and businesses able to take advantage of rebates and tax credits available for installing renewable energy.

A public open house and dedication of the system will be held Friday, Jan. 15, at 1:30 p.m. Lunch is being donated by Chipotle restaurant, 2504 Hwy 6.

The homeless shelter had been interested in exploring solar options for some time, Moon said.

“We're so appreciative to Atlasta for thinking of us for this project,” Moon said.

“It was like having a wish and then everything coming true for it.”

Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com.

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