NASHUA – Solar panel installations are underway through the Nashua Solarize + Campaign.

As the city strives toward making Nashua a more sustainable community, some residents have opted to join forces, using their collective buying power to embark on this efficient endeavor together.

“I just think that everybody needs to do their part, and this is just a little piece, but if everybody does a little bit then it adds up,” said Kathy Abel, of Nashua, while crew members from Granite State Solar were working on her roof Thursday morning.

After workers from GSS finished up their first install project on Antrim Road in Nashua a couple weeks ago, they made their way to Abel’s residence on Manchester Street to begin installing 16 panels on her roof. GSS and Turn Cycle Solutions are the two solar firms joining Nashua leaders to be the city’s premier solar provider through the campaign. Homesite visits from GSS through the campaign need to be scheduled by Aug. 31.

“We’re cranking them out, but for everybody signed up with the program, we are pledging to complete all o(installations) by the end of the year,” said Eric Shifflett, co-owner of GSS. “That way they’re eligible to claim the tax credit when tax season rolls around. We’re guaranteeing anybody who signs up with us through the program will be installed this year.”

He said so far they’ve scheduled just more than 100 home visits and have completed about 70. The last time he checked the numbers, he said 168 people had reached out for more information, with 101 scheduled site visits lined up. However, he expects the number of visits to increase once others connect with them.

“One of the biggest things about solar is the huge variability of production and what you get out of a solar array,” Shifflett said.

When making a home visit, he said they are looking at how much, if any, shade is coming from trees, the angle of the roof and what direction it’s facing, the roof structure, and more. They then take that data back to the office to develop a proposal. Also, in that proposal they calculate how much of a homeowner’s electricity bill will be offset and how long a solar system takes to pay for itself.

He said sometimes people assume it may not be a good time to invest in solar because of the tariffs.

“To correct that, that’s not the case,” Shifflett said. “We work directly with large manufacturers and our pricing has come down this year, and what you see with the this campaign is an example of what’s possible. The industry is strong; solar is viable or more viable than it’s ever been.”

Abel said she’s sure over the years she’ll be able to save a significant amount, replacing her electric bill with paying back the loan for the solar work.

“It winds up being just about the same amount,” Abel said. “It’s maybe a little bit more to pay for the loan, but then in however many years it takes to pay it back, because I usually try to pay things back more quickly, I’ll be getting free electricity. And I’m sure the price of electricity is going to go up. It’s not going to go down, so I’m sure that I’ll save money.”

Shifflett said ,as it is, the state of New Hampshire has a “do-it-yourself” mentality, whether that’s taking control of food supplies by growing tomatoes or having chickens in the backyard, but it’s the same mindset with electricity. Abel said a big factor for her when deciding whether to go into solar was her age.

“I’m 68-years-old, and I thought, ‘do I really want to do this at my age?’ but then when I thought about all the advantages and the advantages to my kids and my grandkids and just the planet in general, it’s worth it to me,” Abel said.

Shifflett said it’s been helpful having folks at City Hall on board to help generate enthusiasm for the campaign.

“I would definitely do this again,” Shifflett said. “Nashua has been an awesome community to work with, and I think they’re setting a good example for other communities that might want to consider something similar.”

“I’m really really happy with the city of Nashua that they initiated this program and started it,” Abel said. “I think it’s great, it’s really innovative, and I wish that more cities in New Hampshire would take this initiative and do it.”

She said her daughter lives off the grid in Vermont and has had solar panels for years.

“I’ve seen what it’s done for them and how life has changed for them over the years, and I just wanted to do my piece,” Abel said.

Adam Urquhart can be reached at 594-1206 or aurquhart@nashuatelegraph.com.