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Issue Sponsored by:
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Partner Events
Growth Strategies for Colorado's Rural and Resort Towns for Renewalble Energy Supporters Thursday, August 9 Pagosa Springs Community Center
Water in the West Exhibit Durango Arts Center August 10 - September 15
Reception: Friday, August 10
5 - 7 PM Radon Awareness for Real Estate Agents August 21, 9 - 11 AM La Plata County Fairgrounds
Homebuyers Class
Regional Housing Alliance (RHA)
Wednesday, August 22
5:30 - 8:30 PM
Saturday, August 25
8:30 am -1:30 PM
4CORE will present info on the 9th on how to make improvements and save money on bills.
Call for location and to sign up: 970-259-1418
2012 Colorado Energy Master Provides a comprehensive overview of energy efficiency and renewable energy in Colorado. September 6 - November 15 6 - 7:30 PM
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Renewable Resources in Southwest Colorado
Map Your Renewable Potential NREL maps, data and tools for renewable energy resources in our region
Find the tools here
San Miguel Power Association Solar Photovoltaic Residential Rebate amount: $1.25 per watt Solar Photovoltaic Commercial
Rebate amount: $1.25 per watt Small Wind Residential
Rebate amount: $1.25 per watt Solar Domestic Hot Water - Electric Backup
Rebate amount: $1,500 More info at Recharge Colorado
Sign up for SMPA Green Power Blocks
La Plata Electric Association
Sign up for LPEA Green Power Blocks
Empire Electric Association
Sign up for EEA Green Power Blocks
Local Solar Installers
A list of local installers can be found here:
Residential
Commercial
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Sponsor Opportunities
Sponsorship provides a direct channel of communication for companies and organizations to connect with the community. Your support creates heightened awareness of energy efficiency in our community and helps educate local residents and builders about the benefits of saving energy and energy costs.
Newsletter Sponsorship
4CORE's newsletter reaches 2,000 subscribers who could be looking at your logo. Our open and click-thru rates are great, with 18% of email viewers clicking on links that could be taking them to YOUR website. Monthly
Your logo and link to your web site are in the 4CORE newsletter for one issue. 6 MonthsYour logo, link to your web site, and company description are in the 4CORE newsletter for 6 months. Bonus listing on fourcore.org. Yearly Sponsorship Your logo, link to your web site, and company description are in the4CORE newsletter for 12 months. Bonus listing on fourcore.org.
Email for more information or
sign up here.
Sustainable Building Education
Email to contribute in any of the following ways:
- space for classes
- sponsors for lunch/snacks
- program sponsors
- trainers and speakers
- donations at the $500, $1,000 or $2,500 level
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Volunteers Needed:
Software Specialist
4CORE is seeking a software specialist to design and integrate NetSuite software for our non-profit. Coordinate with 4CORE staff on use and scope of the software, integrate modules, set up user roles and field design/structure for records, customize dashboard, train staff on data entry, data retrieval, and future module integration, and provide support to staff as needed. CRM, NetSuite, and "Do Good Better" module experience preferred.
Pro Challenge Bicycle Race
We are looking for approximately three (3) volunteers at a time to help with recycling and waste at Fort Lewis College for these shifts:
Saturday, August 18, 11 - 6 PM
Sunday, August 19, 11 - 4 PM
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Thank You!
4CORE would like to thank Scott Kadera, for continued assistance on the 4CORE website.
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 Energy to Evolve
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Energy News you Can Use is published monthly
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Thank you to our Partners!
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Resource News You Can Use
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Converting sunlight to power is a proven, natural, renewable method of harnessing the sun's energy. The sun continues to shine and is expected to do so for some time. So why not tap into it more?
The US Department of Energy has stated that there is enough solar energy from one hour of sunlight to power the planet for an entire year. Our region is particularly rich in solar resources, with approximately 278 days of sunshine per year.
While solar photovoltaic and hot water systems are great solutions to saving energy, you don't have to have panels on your home to use renewable energy. Read on to find out how you can benefit!
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 Did You Know? The Benefits of Solar Power - Solar power is sustainable energy that is free and wont run out anytime soon.
- There are no ongoing emissions- it is clean and unobtrusive for wildlife and the environment.
- The process does not require water or moving parts.
- The creation of solar energy requires little maintenance. Once panels have been installed and brought up to maximum efficiency, there is little else to do.
- Solar photovoltaic panel power generation makes no noise as it converts sunlight into usable electricity.
- Excess power produced by grid-tied systems can be sold back to your utility company (although personal systems should be sized to produce just enough power, not excess).
- Improvements in solar technology continue to make solar modules more cost effective.
Learn more by checking out this video from the US Department of Energy:
 | | Energy 101: Solar PV |
For more information on solar for your home, visit this site.
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State of Solar Energy in Southwest Colorado
By Derek Wadsworth
Today is an exciting time for renewable energy worldwide and here in Southwest Colorado. This blog will be one in a series that discusses what is happening in solar energy and how it affects us here in our region.
Recently an industry trade group was formed called the Southwest Solar Installers Association (SSIA). This group was formed by local solar installers with the goals of education and promotion of renewable energies, primarily focused on solar, in the Four Corners area.
Education
 The educational focus of SSIA is teaching the public what solar can do for us, and where it is best used. Demonstrations at local events and locations, such as the Durango Discovery Museum, give kids and adults alike the chance to play with solar toys and electronics to better understand their uses and limitations. Please come to play, experiment, and ask lots of questions. Who knows, you may come up with some great ideas for how we can better use solar energy to help our planet.The second aspect of SSIA's educational focus is to work with and teach our policy makers how we can best use solar to meet our sustainability and economic goals. Collaborating with the Durango City Council, 4CORE, and La Plata Electric Association (LPEA), we are working to show the value our industry has for our local economy. In the past two years the solar industry has generated over $5 million dollars for our region, with almost 300 net metered customers in LPEA territory alone, producing over 100 Megawatt Hours (MWH) annually. 
Solar installations have economic impacts beyond just our companies and employees. Solar companies hire electricians, engineers, excavators, and roofers, to name a few. We buy lots of supplies locally, from wire and conduit to pipes and concrete. Most of the money from a solar installation is kept within the local economy, creating jobs and demand for goods and services.
A third component of SSIA education focuses on the continuing education of all installers. Whether that means more certifications, such as North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), or safety requirements from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), we strive to be better at what we do. Best practices for installation are a key component to keeping a good name for our industry and we regularly share tips that may make things safer, more efficient, and more cost effective...
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Southwest Solar  Transformation Initiative
Creating our Region's Solar Roadmap
The Southwest Solar Transformation Initiative (SSTI) aims to improve the market for solar by improving five key areas: Permitting, Interconnection, Net Metering, Planning and Zoning, and Financing. The SSTI is targeting locations in the Southwest where solar potential is abundant, but resources are scarce.
The initiative is led by solar market transformation experts at Optony Inc. and community engagement specialists at the non-profit Strategic Energy Innovations. The program is funded by the Department of Energy Rooftop Solar Challenge program.
The roadmaps for our area are largely completed. Local stakeholders will likely preview the roadmaps and provide feedback in the next couple of weeks, and coordinators from Optony will then return to formally roll out the roadmaps in September. The SSTI team will then support implementation through the end of the year and host an on-site training session for local code officials and stakeholders late in the year.
The process is an opportunity to discuss findings, explore programs and market development opportunities for our region, and discuss opportunities for collaboration. Find general info about the Solar Road Map here.
Download SSTI newsletters here, including an article about Durango's Brownfield Solar Development in the July issue.
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Still time to Win a Free Home Energy Makeover!
The 3rd Place contest winners announced:
 Betty and Larry Bewley of Ignacio will receive a walk through assessment from Verified Green and air sealing services from 4CORE!
La Plata County homeowners can still compete to win:
- one (1) grand prize Home Energy Makeover, complete with a comprehensive energy audit, consulting session, and home efficiency improvements, value starting at $1,500, and
- one (1) second prize whole house comprehensive energy audit, valued at $600, and air sealing.
Winners will be selected based on the home's potential energy savings. Applications to be submitted per entry and screened by a panel of judges.
Register to Win a Free Home Energy Makeover Here
The Home Performance Prescription Program (HomeRx) provides a suite of water and energy-saving services for residents in Southwest Colorado.
HomeRx Home Makeover Contest Sponsored by:
 
  Annadel Building
Solutions LLC
 
For more information or to sponsor this event, contact 4CORE.
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Financing Energy Efficiencies
 Want to upgrade your home or business but lack the cash? There are Options to upgrade Efficiency or Go Solar!
Region 9 Economic Development District, First National Bank of Durango, and Bank of Colorado are bringing low-interest loan options for businesses and homeowners to make energy efficient upgrades to reduce their energy bills. Lowering these bills makes sense (and cents) and allows savings to quickly pay back home improvement loans.
For more information, contact 4CORE, or the lending institutions below:
Business Energy Upgrade Loan
Ed Morlan
Region 9 Economic Development District
970-247-9621
email Ed
Home Energy Upgrade Loan
Kathy Burgess
First National Bank of Durango
970-247-3020
email Kathy
Power Saver Loan
Stephen Ponce-Pore
Bank of Colorado
970-679-7454
email Stephen
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Call 4CORE at 970-259-1916 if you have any questions or need assistance.
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As always, if you have any feedback or questions about becoming more energy efficient, please contact us. |
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