Crowd-funding Solar in Northern Arizona.
Northern Arizona individuals got together to fund two Solar projects. One at a Flagstaff community center and one on the Navajo Reservation. Both crowd-funded projects where beta projects for the Solar Mosaic. As Beta projects both solar installs where completely charitable crowd-funded installs. The Solar Mosaic business model however has evolved from a strictly charitable endeavor into a for profit B-Corporation where the Mosaic connects investors to Solar Projects in need of financing. As these projects earn revenue investors are offered a return on investment. ( To learn more about Solar Mosaics business model you can see how it works here )
Solar Mosaics work in northern Arizona helped lead the way for community solar in Flagstaff, but there are more opportunities and needs for locals to get together and help bring Solar to our community. The city of Flagstaff has over 260 days of sun annually, making its solar resource one of the best in the country. The city also has a constellation of businesses, educational institutions, public agencies, religious institutions, nonprofits, and individuals who are committed to making Flagstaff a flagship community for clean energy and sustainability. By partnering in future crowd funded local solar installs , you can help initiate the movement toward a bright solar future in northern Arizona.
Murdoch Community Center Solar Mosaic Project:
This is an 8KW System of Community Solar Generation in Flagstaff, Arizona. $20,100 was raised for this project. This project give’s back to the community in many ways and was truly a sustainable economic development initiative.
347,124 pounds of CO2 347 pollution will be prevented from entering our atmosphere. The Solar Installation will save the Murdoch Center $73,943 , plus an Additional $1423 will be paid forward to other community solar projects.
[image_frame style=”framed_shadow”]http://northernarizona.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/murdoch-center.jpg[/image_frame]A cornerstone of Flagstaff’s oldest neighborhood, The Murdoch Community Center has a long history of serving its community. In the 1920s, the building was an all-black school serving the Southside neighborhood. In 1954, the school was closed down and fell into disrepair, but was rehabilitated for use as a recreation facility. Today, the Center hosts a pre-school, provides classes and computer access for community members of all ages, and serves as space for events and meetings. By partnering with Solar Mosaic, The Murdoch Center will be able to take advantage of clean, community-funded solar energy, helping to sustain its work for years to come.Thank You northern Arizona for supporting The Murdoch Center going solar by buying tiles in the project. Your Tiles helped fund the installation of a 8kW solar power system on the Center’s roof and help the Center save over $70,000 in utility costs over the lifetime of the project.
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Northern Arizona Solar Mosaic Project
FACT: 18,000 Navajo Nation Homes still remain without power.
The first northern Arizona Solar Mosaic Project recently brought together a community funded 1.5 KW solar installation on the home of Shonto Begay. A total of $17,700 was raised in combination from the Grand Canyon Trust and the following individual investors: Daniel Rosen, Samuel Karlin, Hunhal Jah, James Cunningham, Thomas Nelson, Elliot Murphy, Maria Mercedes-Plant, Adam Pollack, Karen Leu, Lin Chambers, Christine, Loflin, Benjamin B. Cohen, Mary Clare, Robert Stec & anonymous donors Rob, Vangelisti & Hannibal.
A project like this defines the spirit of the northern Arizona Co-Operative and the community as it is truly sustainable economic development. The community funded project produces clean solar power, creates jobs, support our local arts community and creates awareness to local causes and the challenges of our neighbors and native American friends.
AS A COMMUNITY YOU CAN SUPPORT & INVEST IN THE NEXT NORTHERN ARIZONA SOLAR MOSAIC: You can Learn more about the community funded Solar Project of the Murdoch Community Center As an investor you will receive back the amount you invested in annual installments, beginning on the first anniversary of when the Murdoch Community Center solar project goes live. Support northern Arizona community projects!
About Navajo Nation Artist Shonto Begay
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Shonto is a brilliant painter, compelling story-teller, visionary, and leader. He is a leading spokesman for environmental rights and the defense of human rights. His art has been featured in major museums and galleries across the world. His work brings to life the world of the Navajo Reservation and the natural beauty around it.
Now, with the help of Solar Mosaic community, Shonto is going solar on his home. His home, which he built with the help of friends and family, overlooks the silo of Peabody Coal Mine, which powers the neon lights of Las Vegas and the greater Western grid. To this day, there are still 18,000 Navajo homes, like Shonto’s, that remain without power. Many of them use kerosene or diesel generators for the occasional use of power. A dramatic metaphor, it’s heartbreaking to see the buzzing transmission lines powering the mine running over Navajo homes without running water or electricity. This project not only creates clean solar power for Shonto’s home but is part of a paradigm shift for the Navajo Nation, northern Arizona and beyond. Take Part in the Next Northern Arizona Solar Mosaic Project.
[royalslider id=”3″]Shonto Begay’s Art
When the sun sets on Shonto Begay’s home on the Dineh (Navajo Nation) in northern Arizona, the land turns red and the sky sets on fire. After what Shonto calls “the introduction to the celestial drama”, the moon rises and the stars glitter throughout the sky like a sparkling stream running over our heads. On a clear night, you can easily see the Milky Way and dozens of shooting stars. Once a month, the moon shines so brightly that the bugs stop flying towards the kerosene lamps in the home and make a pilgrimage up to the giant light bulb in the sky. At the homestead, there is no running water and only a small amount of electricity from a noisy and dirty diesel generator. Now thanks to the community Solar Mosaic is being installed!
PLEASE INVEST IN THE NEXT SOLAR MOSAIC in northern Arizona: Learn more about the Murdoch Community Center Solar Mosaic Project
Download: Building Arizona’s Solar Future