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Clean Energy Collective is America's largest community solar power provider, serving thousands of customers in states across the country. Our community solar model has won numerous awards for innovation and been featured prominently in national media. We're most proud of the stories our customers have shared with us about how community solar is saving them money and helping the environment.

"When I bought a house three years ago, I contacted solar developers, who all indicated that my roof had too much shade to make solar financially viable."

	"CEC has rapidly spread its wings, and is now active in many states across the U.S."
	"It opens up solar financially to a much broader swath of people."
	"They are developing a new model for the 21st-century electric grid."

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Jenny Sumner Heeter
July 28, 2014

An energy analyst at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Jenny Sumner Heeter wanted to support the development of solar energy. "When I bought a house three years ago, I contacted solar developers, who all indicated that my roof had too much shade to make solar financially viable," Heeter said.

Jeffco Community Solar ArrayThrough her work in renewable energy, the Golden, Colo. resident learned about Clean Energy Collective (CEC)'s community solar projects developed in Xcel Energy's various service territories.

In July, CEC unveiled two solar gardens that serve any commercial, residential or municipal Xcel customer in Jefferson County. "Rather than cut down a large shade tree on the southern side of our home, I decided to pursue CEC's community solar option," Heeter said.

She purchased 11 solar panels (2.59 kW) that will offset about 85 percent of her home's electricity usage. "We may make some significant energy efficient improvements in the future, so I didn't want to over-subscribe my solar share," Heeter said. "I also still have an incentive to lower my electricity use."

CEC anticipates that the 235-watt panels will save the Heeter household almost $700 in the first year of production and more than $14,000 over the 20-year life expectancy of the solar array. With a new addition to her family, Heeter plans to use the extra money of offset other rising costs, including daycare. "CEC did a great job presenting the financial case and following up with me to answer my questions," she said.

The Lookout Mountain resident attended the grand opening of the Jeffco Community Solar Arrays, and saw her 11 panels for the first time. "I was proud to see my money at work," Heeter said. "It was great to see the tangible result of such a long process."

Holding her baby boy in one arm, she signed her very own community solar panels - which will generate local, clean energy that is fed back to the utility grid. Xcel Energy will then distribute the solar energy to its ratepayers, and Heeter will receive credits on her electricity bill plus a quarterly check from Xcel for the Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) her system provides the utility.

Heeter's favorite part of participating in community-owned solar? "The financial benefits and the fact that the solar is local," she said.

To her friends and family, Heeter would say that community solar gardens "make financial sense" while enabling participants to "support the development of solar in their community." Even though Heeter's panels are not on her rooftop, they're only a few miles away. "It's great knowing that when I drive down [state highway] 93, ‘my' solar is just down the road," she said.