Islamic Center Hosts Workshop for EL Residents Looking to “Go Solar”

Above: Groundbreaking at the Burcham Park solar project, courtesy of MI Community Solar Project

East Lansing residents who are interested in “Going Solar” can get more information at the Islamic Center of East Lansing this Saturday, April 28.

A special hour-long presentation, starting at noon, will provide information about federal tax credits as well as providing information about local installers for community members who are ready to move forward.

According to Thasin Sardar, one of the coordinators of the event, there will also be information about recent photovoltaic installations in the Greater Lansing area. “The MSU student housing coop is planning to install a solar roof and will share with the audience how they are pursuing their initiative,” Sardar told ELi via email.

There have been several large-scale solar projects planned or installed recently in our area, including the Solar Carport Initiative at MSU, where several of the campus parking lots were filled with solar panels installed over existing parking places.

Another local solar project, the MI Community Solar Project, is planned for the brownfield lot on the corner of Park Lake and Burcham. Organizers are continuing to lease solar panels at $399 for 25-year terms at that location.

Utility customers who lease panels at Burcham Park will see a credit on their electric bill. With the anticipated output of the panels, organizers say that the leases should pay for themselves in 10-12 years.

According to Chelsea Stein from MI Community Solar, construction on the solar panel installations broke ground in January and the group is hoping to have the installation operational in the “spring/summer” of this year.

In his email to ELi, Sardar praised The Green Team at Haslett Community Church, a co-sponsor of this event, for “their motivation and drive to push other citizens and faith groups to adopt renewable energy options. “

For those interested in attending this event, The Islamic Center is located at 920 S. Harrison Road, and the event will run from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.. Refreshments will be served.