SOLAR BARN RAISING
Community Installed Solar
ABOUT US
We are a non-profit group providing support to homeowners interested in a do-it-yourself approach to installing their own solar photovoltaic system. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, you are welcome to join the group and install your own solar power system with us!
We ask that homeowners participate in installing at least three solar power systems at other members’ homes to learn the process, then the group comes to your home to assist with your installation.
The group’s founder, John Lyle, is an electrical engineer with extensive solar training and experience. You can learn more about the history of Solar Barn Raising here. The solar power systems we install are professionally designed and we use high quality commercial grade components. We have installed over 160 solar power systems so far.
What you get from participating in the group is an opportunity to learn the technology and process of installing a solar power system, the chance to meet like-minded people interested in promoting renewable energy, and substantial savings from installing your own system.
WHO QUALIFIES?
We install numerous systems each year in La Plata, Montezuma, and Archuleta Counties, as well as in Northern New Mexico.
We work only with bonafide do-it-yourselfers — men or women who have the expertise and initiative to tackle a home improvement project on their own and get it done in a timely manner.
In addition to being an experienced DIYer, you must be willing to learn and promote solar, and you must be an active participant in your project. The group does not install solar power for you; for that there are numerous professional installers in the area who are well qualified to install your system.
For the safety of our volunteers, we primarily install solar on lower-pitched roofs with good access — no steep roofs.
We also want to work with people who like to help others, and hopefully will continue participating in the group.
Like any other DIY project, the main challenge is what to do and how to do it. After you are past the learning curve, actually doing it is fairly straightforward. The Solar Barn Raising group assists you to learn every step of the process, and helps you install your system.
Interested?
