Did you know that there is an energy source that consumes no fuel, produces no pollution, radioactive waste, nor green-house gasses?  It's solar power — or as it's becoming known around the valley — photovoltaics. The sun just may be the power source of the future and the members of the fledgling Pioneer Valley Photovoltaic or (PV)² cooperative are working to bring the future closer every day.

"I was walking in the woods one day talking to my friend Rich Gottlieb about renewable energy and the need for creating jobs in the area," Don Campbell, founder of  (PV)² told me." And we thought, why can't we create a cooperative to make and install solar panels?  It would be good for the environment, good for employment and good for the local economy, too!"  Within a year Don and his supporters had laid the groundwork for (PV)². 

The (PV)² cooperative — which is still forming — plans to create a worker-owned solar panel manufacturing and installation company in Franklin County. (PV)² hopes to convert one of the many empty mills in the area into their new factory. This would not only make good use of one of our old buildings, but it would contribute to the economic stability of our area while promoting a sustainable and renewable energy source. In addition to manufacturing and installing solar panels, cooperative members are looking to develop a line of solar-powered equipment such as lawn mowers and golf carts to increase their market.

"We could do this thing, do something really great and not make a lot of money," Don told about 40 members and supporters at (PV)²'s recent Annual Meeting. "But we might just do something that's great, have it really take off and make a lot of money out of it, too!" Sounds good to me. But are Americans ready to go solar?

"It's definitely the power source of the future, " says John Waite who was an early supporter of (PV)² and is Executive Director of the Franklin County Community Development Corporation (oh, and he's my husband too). "Solar power is already a significant source of power in Europe and it's an ideal power source for many developing nations. You put a solar panel on top of your house, or in your field, and you don't need to rely on anyone to supply your power. America is lagging behind because the power companies don't want people to be in control of their own power. But there is a market out there waiting to be tapped. Why shouldn't we be the ones to do it?"

The cooperative now has a steering committee as well as legal, technical, education and events and communication committees.  They also have a start-up grant from the USDA Rural Development and the support of the Cooperative Development Institute and the Franklin County Community Development Corporation. If you are interested in solar power and in being part of a brighter future for the Pioneer Valley, Pioneer Valley Photovoltaics invites you to join them. Contact Don Campbell at (413) 498-0027 or email him at Campbell@shaysnet.com. 

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