Opinion: Orwell resident happy to share meadow’s solar bounty

by Vera Blakely, Orwell Community Solar Array host

December 11, 2014

I was born into a world with oil lamps, well water pumped by hand and horses for travel. Then the automobile and telephone in every home led to a cell phone in every hand. And now we have electricity from the sun. Watch out world. I can’t believe it.

For 26 years I’ve lived above a meadow where the sun is always shining. It’s a beautiful spot. For 26 years I’ve had that meadow to myself and have enjoyed the view but now for the first time that meadow will be working for me. I will soon be hosting a community solar array that will allow 30 households to benefit from solar for the first time, my home included.

I was born in Vermont and have lived in Orwell since 1949. Years ago my husband and I were looking for a larger dairy farm to buy. We grew crops in the meadow and tended to 150 head of cattle, but life changes, constantly. We auctioned the cattle and parceled our land. Now on my own and looking for a way to create a more sustainable, secure future for myself, I discovered SunCommon’s community solar array program. Yay!

I’m proud to have found a way to further my working landscape. I’m happy to be helping my neighbors and fellow Addison County residents benefit from solar. The low, silent solar panels will nest in the sunny meadow that I’ve always enjoyed and offer a new view into my future.