"Go Solar in Anthem"

Why "Going Solar Makes Good Cents" in Anthem

Ahwatukee, Anthem, Apache Junction, Avondale, Bisbee, Buckeye, Bullhead City, Casa Grande, Cave Creek, Chandler, Chino Valley, Coolidge, Cornville, Cottonwood, El Mirage, Flagstaff, Florence, Fort Huachuca, Fountain Hills, Gilbert, Glendale, Golden Valley, Goodyear, Green Valley, Higley, Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Laveen, Litchfield Park, Marana, Maricopa, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Payson, Peoria, Phoenix, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Queen Creek, Safford, Sahuarita, Scottsdale, Sedona, Sierra Vista, Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, Tempe, Tolleson, Tucson, Vail, Yuma, and other cities and towns through out Arizona.

The purpose of the "Go Solar in Arizona" website is to show residents and businesses in Anthem how to work with local government officials to migrate their communities away from carbon-based power to clean green solar power by building Energy Efficient Solar Homes and Businesses.

There are places in the world such as Germany and Spain that have very little sunshine, but they have still managed to harness the sun's free energy to produce large quantities of clean green electricity. Unlike Germany, Arizona has the strongest solar footprint in North America, yet we have very few solar systems installed to take advantage of the sun's energy that rains down on our state every day.

We need solar advocates to volunteer and help us educate Arizona residents and businesses on why solar power makes good common sense in our state.

Start a local "Go Solar in Anthem" Meetup Group

One of the easiest ways is to create a social networking website, which only costs $12 a month. A Meetup.com website comes with some powerful event marketing tools that you can use to plan, setup, post to a calendar and market on the internet using Craigslist and press releases. There are a number of state groups, but we need local grass root movements in every city in Arizona. Click on the link above and copy of the events and market them to your local community.

All you need to get started is click here.

Plan Anthem Events with Local Government Officials

There are many events that you can plan to help local Anthem government officials educate residents businesses adopt energy efficiency practices and install solar hot water heaters and solar power arrays.

Host Anthem Solar Community Outreach Programs

One way is to conduct Anthem community outreach programs that educate the general public on the federal tax credits, federal tax grants, state tax credits and local utility energy efficiency and renewable energy rebate program that are available to pay for more than 50% of the equipment and installation.

Petition Anthem Officials to Adopt Green Building Programs

Another is to ask your Anthem officials to adopt new building efficiency practices for commercial, industrial and and residential structures in Anthem to reduce wasteful energy consumption and promote the installation of solar energy to heat water and produce clean green energy.

Anthem should also mandate that all new Anthem construction projects install radiant barriers, solar attic fans, solar thermal hot water heaters and solar power arrays.

Provide Free Advice and Technical Assistance to Builders

Anthem should also create a Green Committee that will provide advice and technical assistance to developers of new projects on what energy efficient practices and alternative energy products provide the best return on investment.

Create Solar Financing Programs and HB2336 Energy Districts

Anthem's Chamber of Commerce should follow the City of Phoenix's example and launch a "Go Solar in Anthem" initiative to educate the community on any city-sponsored residential solar financing programs available.

Utility companies are mandated by the Arizona Corporation Commission to support energy efficiency and renewable energy community outreach programs. One call from the Anthem Chamber of Commerce and most utility companies would be happy to send a representative out to discuss their energy efficiency and solar power rebate programs at monthly Chamber meetings.

The "Solar Phoenix" program provides $25 million to finance low and moderate-income homeowners in Phoenix. The program allows qualifying Phoenix homeowners to install solar systems with no upfront investment and a small monthly payment that is lower than their previous electricity bills. Solar Phoenix also incorporates incentives from APS's Solar and Renewable Energy Incentive Program, which is approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission approved and funded by APS customers.

Utilize Stimulus Grants to Create Economic Development

President Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in February 2009, which includes which provides up to $75 billion in formula-based education grants, $61 billion on building renewable energy related programs , and over $150 billion over the next ten years to create green jobs.

Anthem should take advantage of these programs and file for grants that would help educate a green workforce and finance energy efficiency and renewable energy installations.

Educate Real Estate Brokers and Title Companies on 203K Loans

Anthem Real Estate Brokers and title companies need to be educated on providing Energy Efficiency (203K) loans that still allow people to finance 110% of their homes value to install energy efficient products and solar power systems. Anthem should also work with local banks to arrange financing for these projects and use public relations to publicize these programs.

Why Go Solar in Arizona?

5 Steps to Create an Energy Efficient Solar Home in AZ

What Solar Incentives Are Available in Arizona?

Want to Go Solar in Your Community?

AZCC Public Policy:

Real World Installation Videos

"Go Solar in Anthem"

Why "Going Solar Makes Good Cents" in Anthem

Click here to find an Anthem Solar Installation Company.

"Go Solar in Anthem" Step-by-Step Solar Community Development Tool Kit: