Yampa Valley Electric Association’s (YVEA) Rays Up Community Solar Garden will begin accepting applications on February 1st.
In 2016, Yampa Valley Electric Association (YVEA) and the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) and GRID Alternatives partnered to develop a community solar array which is dedicated to partially offsetting electric bills for income qualified YVEA members. This solar garden is now 100% owned and operated by YVEA. Members participating in this program will receive a partial bill offset from the energy produced by their portion of the community solar array, and their lease agreement will be for two years.
Scott Blecke, YVEA CEO, says, “Rays Up has been a community-centered program from the beginning. As of December 31, 2025, Rays Up Community Solar Garden has provided approximately $220,000 in bill offsets to participants, creating real bill assistance to members in need. Members who are part of the income-qualified program can bank their usage during summer months and use it when they need it most – during high-usage months. We are excited to open this round of the program and continue YVEA’s commitment to helping our communities.”
The previous cycle, which ran from April 2024 – 2026, members saw bill offsets totaling approximately $36,000 as of the end of December 2025.This was spread out amongst 35 participants. If a member was in this previous cycle from 2024 – 2026, they are ineligible to reapply in the current cycle. Members from the previous cycle, 2022 – 2024 are eligible to apply in 2026.
YVEA is working with the Community Budget Center to process and evaluate applications, which will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Proof of income for all adult household members is required with any applications. For all adult household members (18+) who filed Federal Income Taxes: please provide 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ Form from their most recent year's Federal Income Tax Return. For all household members (except those under 18 years of age) who are not legally required to file Federal Income Taxes: please provide documentation for each source of income. Acceptable income documents include yearly Social Security statements/award letters (SS, SSI, SSDI), yearly pension statement, W-2s (job income), tax form 1099 (investments or other miscellaneous income), etc. Pay stubs and bank statements are acceptable.
If members are unsure of what to send with their application, please contact the Community Budget Center at 970-824-7898.
For an application or more information on Rays Up Community Solar Garden, please visit https://www.yvea.com/energy-efficiency/renewables/solar/community-solar/rays-up-community-solar/