SOLAR SAVINGS
1 ST
Sun-soaked days are great for more than golf at Kiskiack, the first Virginia course to use solar power.
Zangardi called around looking for con-
wife, Cindy, took ownership of Kiskiack
tractors who were doing solar. “Along comes
in 2016. He has been a member at the
William & Mary, where they knew I had an
semi-private club, which opened in 1997,
interest in sustainability, and SUN and we
since the early 2000s.
created the relationship with Aaron,” he said.
“I’ve always liked Kiskiack because
SUN is Solar United Neighbors, a
there are no houses on it. It is a spec-
non-profit organization that helps com-
tacular walk, especially in the evening,”
munities go solar through programs, fights
Zangardi said.
for energy rights and advocates for
Zangardi is a vocal proponent of
non-partisan legislation that
green energy as a method for
is going to help build solar
reducing costs.
in the commonwealth.
“I’ve done solar at
Aaron Sutch is the
this stage. I’m proba-
Virginia program
bly going to add pan-
director for Solar
els by the end of the
United Neighbors,
year, and then I’m
which launched the
probably going to
Hampton Roads
look at something
Solar Co- Op that
wind-wise within
Kiskiack joined.
the next couple of
“Solar is a relative-
years,” he said. “We’re
ly new technology, at
really blessed because
–Carl Zangardi
least here in Virginia,”
we have our own water
Sutch said. “Our main pro-
so we don’t have to use city
gram focus is on solar co-ops
water, and [we’re] producing
which the Hampton Roads Solar Co-Op
about 20 percent of the electricity with
is an example. [The co-op] is a loose-knit
the initial panel. … I thought solar was a
community group that helps communi-
very good thing to have.”
ties go solar.”
Shortly after becoming Kiskiack’s
owner, Zangardi contacted Dominion
COMMON BARRIERS AND
Energy about green energy, but, “They
GETTING STARTED
weren’t interested in talking at my scale.
Two of the common barriers to solar are
… I couldn’t get anybody to help me with
cost and education.
this,” he said.
“I would like
to have a screen
display showing what
we are producing.
I get a kick out
of it.”
vsga.org
GOLF COURSE IN VIRGINIA TO TAP
INTO SOLAR ENERGY P