Power to the people: Ellensburg, Washington show the way with the first "community solar park" in the country.

It’s an idea that experts say could be replicated in communities across the country.

Gary Nystedt was brainstorming with a group of colleagues at a solar energy conference a few years ago when the idea hit him.

What if Ellensburg http://www.ellensburg-chamber.com/ put up solar panels in a park and invited residents to invest in the system? As a return on their investment in clean energy, residents would get a credit on their electric bill.

Nystedt, resource manager for the city of Ellensburg — which owns the local electric and gas utilities — enlisted the support of his boss. The City Council in turn got behind the effort.

by LEAH BETH WARD
Yakima Herald-Republic

Full Story: http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/12/10/power-to-the-people