“If everyone started to just look to put solar into their lives it would ultimately reduce our dependence on other energy and that would be a great thing for the Earth.” When Kate Frazier first moved to Colorado, she considered which neighborhood would suit her best. She chose the Holiday Neighborhood in Boulder, Colorado, because she liked the idea of knowing that her home would be producing more energy than she could consume, thanks to the solar system on its roof. Like her neighbors’ at Holiday, Frazier’s home is equipped with photovoltaic solar panels that convert the energy from the sun into household electricity to be used for all of her energy needs.

Because Kate’s solar panels gather and convert more energy than her home needs to operate, she receives a check from the electric company every month. For Frazier, however, her solar neighborhood represents more than a fiscally responsible way of life: “I am certainly concerned about the future of the world and how we are using energy and I think that looking at alternative energy sources is really important.” Kate, along with other residents of the Holiday Neighborhood, represents an important push toward creating a cleaner and healthier planet for generations to come.