Source/Associated Press

CHEYENNE - Big developers aren’t the only ones pursuing Wyoming’s renewable energy resources. Wyoming homeowners quickly claimed $2.25 million in federal stimulus funds as part of a recent state program for residential renewable energy projects.

The State Energy Office is finalizing grant agreements so about 330 people can get started on projects to install solar, wind or ground-source heat energy systems at their homes, Program Manager Shannon Stanfill said.

The office obligated the funding in less than 10 days in December, and another 265 people - with nearly $2 million in requests - are on a waiting list. However, there are currently no plans to add more funding to the program, according to the office.

The program offered grants of up to $10,000 or 50 percent of project costs, whichever was less, for adding renewable energy at Wyoming homes. Stanfill said homeowners may be able to start installing the projects as soon as next month, with reimbursement based on spending invoices and other verification.

Of the 332 original applicants, about 64 percent were for wind turbines, about 30 percent were solar panels and about 5 percent were for ground-source heat systems, Stanfill said. Ground-source heat systems circulate fluid through underground pipes to draw on the earth’s temperature for home heating and cooling.

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