The Arizona Solar Challenge, which helped make Arizona the nation’s residential solar leader between 2011 to 2015 in communities from Buckeye to Glendale and from Yuma to Flagstaff, is being relaunched statewide.

SmartPower, a non-profit marketing organization dedicated to promoting clean energy and energy efficiency, announced the return of the program with support from the Leon Lowenstein Foundation and the residential solar loan company, Dividend Finance.

The organization will work with local communities, local partners and organizations to challenge communities to go solar as part of Arizona’s commitment to be Carbon-Free by 2050, according to a release.

“Arizona Public Service and The Arizona Corporation Commission helped us launch the original Arizona Solar Challenge,” said Brian F. Keane, president of SmartPower. “And now both of them have committed to going carbon-free by 2050. We can think of no better way to aid in this effort than to challenge our Arizona communities to join the Arizona Solar Challenge and help Arizona reach this important goal!”

The Reveille Foundation, a nonprofit based in the Southwest Valley, is one of the first community organizations to join the project.

“The Reveille Foundation works with Arizona’s underserved communities including our military veterans and Native Americans,” Reveille Foundation President Steve Yamamori said. “We are excited to work with the Arizona Solar Challenge because these are some of very best of Arizona’s communities — and the communities who are most in need of solar power.”

The challenge utilizes a community-based “group buying” program that has been tested and perfected across the nation. SmartPower has undertaken or assisted in managing solar campaigns in more than 25 states and thousands of communities from coast to coast, as well as New Delhi, India.

Research performed by Yale University and New York University’s Stern School of Business has proven that SmartPower’s solar campaigns can increase demand for residential solar by 1,000% on average in each community, the release stated.

SmartPower works with municipalities, utilities, community groups and “solar ambassadors” to educate residents on the benefits of going solar. Customized town-specific websites remove the complexity of the purchasing process, making it easier for customers to understand how to move forward. Financial savings are further enhanced by battery storage and “zero money down” finance options, the release stated.

“Solar is good for all our communities and it’s good for Arizona,” said Eric White, CEO of Dividend Finance, one of the partners and underwriters of the Arizona Solar Challenge. “The Arizona Solar Challenge is a natural fit for us to participate. With the momentum in Arizona to be Carbon Free by 2050, solar will a huge part of that solution. We are proud and excited to be a part of the team.”

Those who want more information or want to see if solar is right for their home may visitazsolarchallenge.wee.green. Communities and organizations interested in joining the challenge, may email Bob Wall at bwall@smartpower.org.