Aspen homeowners stand to gain financially from a new incentive program led by the town’s Community Office for Resource Efficiency and funded by the Atlanta-based Turner Foundation, the Aspen Municipal Electric Company and the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign (an international group representing 160 cities.)

Under this initiative, homeowners who install photovoltaic systems to generate energy from the sun will receive up to 25 cents per kilowatt-hour for all the energy their systems produce over two years. This would be combined with a state solar rebate program worth up to $2,500.

Using a similar European system as a guide, this program aims to install solar energy systems in 30 to 40 Aspen homes within the next two years. Although solar power is much more lucrative for European homeowners — who can earn 50 cents for every dollar per kilowatt — the program in Aspen could become the largest rural electric cooperative in the states.

Glenwood Springs-based Holy Cross Electric has agreed to act as a partner in the program, purchasing excess electricity from homeowners.

News compiled by Eric Hansen, Nate Hoogeveen, Jane Maguire, and Mary Catherine O'Connor of Outside magazine.