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I went solar because “Why not?”

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April 20, 2026

Many folks think of solar as a new thing, but I was teaching about solar energy and wind energy at Bear Creek High School back in the 1970s. I’ve been an educator most of my life and care deeply about solar energy. Still, it never felt financially realistic for me. That’s why I was so thrilled when I finally got my panels. I participated in Solar United Neighbors’ Switch Together program here in Denver.

What stood out to me about the Switch Together program was how much support it offered. Solar United Neighbors organized a group of homeowners and connected us to vetted installers. The format of the group-buy program created a competitive bidding process that led to better pricing. It took a lot of the uncertainty out of going solar.

Getting the group-buy discount along with the rebate was huge. On top of that, Xcel energy had their rebate that gives you back a dollar per watt that your system generates. That combination made all the difference.

Putting my name on the list

The group-buy discount was good enough, but then being awarded one of the rebates was shocking. That was one of the biggest pluses of the Switch Together program for me. I didn’t have to do anything. The program took on the responsibility of figuring out which solar companies were reputable.

When SUN mentioned that I might qualify for the rebate, I kept saying to myself, “this can’t be real.” I called everyone I could think of to ask if this was a scam or if it was actually real. It felt too good to be true.

Why solar just makes sense

Why did I want to go solar in the first place? Oh gosh, why not. I think the sidewalks should be solar panels. I think the streets should be solar panels. I think the shingles should be solar panels. It just makes total sense.

Going with oil and gas makes no sense. It didn’t in the past, and it doesn’t now.

Being part of the solution

Going solar has definitely helped me save money. I’m not as concerned about being cold in the winter anymore. I’ve heard that when people go solar, they sometimes end up using more energy than they used to, so I try not to do that.

Mostly, it’s about saving money and having that small feeling of doing something good. I know it’s a minuscule contribution, but it feels like being a minuscule part of the solution instead of the problem.

I might one day add more panels. I might one day add a battery. Right now, I’m just tiptoeing around and trying to figure out what Xcel Energy is up to. When they raise rates, I’m always paying attention to their tiered usage and how it affects me.

— Shawna Crocker