The First Working Solar Garden: A New Model for Community Groups and Investors- Opening March 11 Hosted by SolarPanelHosting.com and SolarGardens.org

    SAGUACHE, CO, March 02, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- SolarGardens.org and SolarPanelHosting.com will be unveiling a working Solar Garden in Westminster, Colorado March 11, 2010, the same day the Solar Gardens bill (HB 1342) will be introduced into the Colorado State Assembly. The bill, introduced by Claire-Levy (D-Boulder, Gilpin) will allow people to come together in groups from 10-1,500 to establish community-scale power plants. A Solar Garden can be located on multiple homes, large buildings, or integrated into working agricultural land.

The event, beginning at 11am at 4800 West 80th Ave, Westminster CO, will consist of a press conference and tours of the solar garden and will be free and open to the public. This will be the site of a future Solar Information Center open to the public. It will be followed by a lunch presentation at Los Arcos restaurant featuring several speakers, including Senator Gail Schwartz (D- Southern Colorado) and Joy Hughes, founder of SolarPanelHosting.com.

"The idea of Solar Gardens is beginning to capture the public's attention and imagination. We are active in at least a dozen Colorado Counties and a dozen U.S. States. The interest is spreading around the globe through SolarGardens.org and the Solar Gardens Facebook group." says Hughes.

"Imagine getting a check in the mail each month instead of an electric bill. SolarPanelHosting.com pays like a small oil well on your roof, but without the mess." says Hughes. "Property owners and investors have been asking how they can make money from solar energy. We hope to show how investors can realize a rapid return."

"Libraries, schools, and churches can benefit by hosting a solar garden on their property. Homeowners can donate roof space to support their favorite charity. Using rooftops instead of industrial solar farms helps protect important landscapes like Colorado's San Luis Valley. We support independent solar professionals in each area." The hosting revenue for at least 10% of the panels at the Solar Garden in Westminster, Colorado will be donated to a non-profit organization to be chosen by SolarGardens.org members.

At the Westminster model garden, ten subscribers each will purchase the rights to solar panels providing one kilowatt of solar energy. Some of the subscribers will be tenants in the building, demonstrating how a subscription to a solar garden on the same building can be part of a standard rental contract. Other subscribers will be located in the local neighborhood, around Colorado, and as far away as Seattle. According to Hughes, "Remote panel owners can gain more in sunshine than the cost of their subscription. Owning a share of a solar garden could very well be less expensive than going it alone. People will be able to go solar with just a click."

About SolarPanelHosting.com
Based in the rural community of Saguache, Colorado, SolarPanelHosting.com offers a way for everyone to own solar panels in their community, even if they have a shady roof, rent an apartment, or might move. As a pioneer Hosting Service Provider, SPH is bringing together solar subscribers, property owners, investors, and local solar professionals to build and manage distributed power plants throughout America. This independent company is dedicated to protecting critical landscapes through ten principles of responsible solar development. Website: http://www.solarpanelhosting.com

About SolarGardens.org
SolarGardens.org is forming as a non-profit cooperative, organizing communities to pool their resources to go solar. Libraries and schools, churches and non-profit groups can benefit by hosting a distributed power plant where anyone can own solar panels. SolarGardens.org advocates for community based energy development through legislation such as Colorado's "Solar Gardens" bill, introduced in 2010 (HR 1342). Solar Gardens are self-organizing everywhere, beginning to transform America through solar power and people power.

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