Columbia seeks to decrease solar energy cost in new program

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Columbia is set to become one of the first communities in the country to join a program seeking to decrease the cost of soaking up solar energy.

SolSmart will assist Columbia in reducing costs associated with installing solar panels, the Columbia Missourian reported. The program is a $13 million investment by the Department of Energy and run by The Solar Foundation.

Columbia began considering being involved with the program in November when city council member Ian Thomas attended a solar energy acceleration workshop at the National League of Cities conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

A representative of The Solar Foundation spoke about a new program to credit cities for working to lessen financial regulatory and administrative barriers to homeowners getting solar panels installed.

"I thought it sounded like something that Columbia would want to embrace," Thomas said.

Thomas said the city will consider all of the challenges of going solar and make changes in rules and policies so it's easier for people to transition to solar energy in five to 10 years.

Program director Philip Haddix said many people don't know that the administrative costs and business process account for about two-thirds of going solar.

"The equipment is cheap, but the inefficiency is in the processes and other items that are keeping costs higher than they should be," he said.

Missouri has more than 100 solar companies and nearly 2,000 solar jobs, according to The Solar Foundation. Boone County holds nearly 50 of those jobs.

"Solar companies do business where it's easier for them to do business," Haddix said. "Addressing these issues can send a signal to an installer that your community is open for solar business."

Information from: Columbia Missourian, http://www.columbiamissourian.com