REAL GOODS CASE STUDY - Boulder, CO

Celebrated Environmental Activist Goes Solar

Boulder’s own Roy Young and his wife Rosa Venezia recently added to their list of environmental good works by converting their home to run entirely on photovoltaics (PV). This was the first of more than 40 solar installations by Real Goods Colorado Residential Solar Division, opened in 2006 with Paul Melamed as director in response to the passage of Colorado’s Amendment 37.

Founder of the Global Response Environmental Action & Education Network, Young was instrumental in the shutdown of Rocky Flats in 1989. Co-founder and director of Eco-Cycle, an international leader in the Zero Waste movement, he has served as nuclear issue chairman for the Rocky Mountain Sierra Club and on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee for Boulder and the state of Colorado.

Real Goods caught up with Roy just as he was coming off a river trip on the North Fork of the Salmon. This incredibly busy man, who also owns and operates Nature’s Own fossil, gem and rock business, took time to discuss the conversion of his 2,800-sq.-ft. home with us.

RG: Why did you decide to go solar?
Young: Amendment 37 in Colorado required Xcel, our utility, to generate a large percentage of capacity from renewables. With the amendment tax credits and rebates, it makes PV very affordable. RG: Why did you choose Real Goods? Young: I have a personal connection with Paul Melamed, who is a pioneer in the use of residential off-the-grid wind & solar photovoltaic systems. Plus, we are major donors to the Solar Living Institute in Hopland.

RG: How did the install go?
Young: The install was done in two days. We weren’t even home. It looks great!

RG: How did Real Goods help you understand your energy needs and provide the best solution?
Young: Paul took care of everything, especially interfacing with the utility. Xcel was having a tough time getting up to speed. Getting the meter put in after the install took a while, but it’s up — and running backwards.

RG: Is the system running smoothly?
Young: It’s only been a month, but yes, very. In fact, one of our friends has also just put in a Real Goods system.

Gaiam Real Goods is excited about the upsurge of new solar installations happening in the state of Colorado, and we’re pleased to have Roy Young as a model of renewable energy usage in Colorado.