Neighborhood going green to save money

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - A Providence neighborhood is going green in an effort to help several businesses and homes save hundreds on electricity costs.

Community Gardens has been going green for awhile. Recently, they've installed solar panels on its roof.

"We want it to be a place where you can live, work, play and stay," said Kari Lang, executive director of WBNA.

The West Broadway Neighborhood Association made a group purchase of solar panels to keep the price at reasonable levels for interested neighbors.

"Neighbors are going to be leasing these panels for ten years from the WBNA and after ten years, those panels become theirs," said Lang.

Jeff Corey of Healing Paws Veterinary Rehabilitation says this is something he is excited about.

"They made it affordable and they made it so it could actually happen," said Corey.

At Healing Paws, they rehabilitate animals after surgeries, paralysis or arthritis. The electric bill is between $250 and $400.

"The one that has the biggest dent on our electric bill is the underwater treadmill," said Corey. "It uses 220, so it runs a lot, takes a lot to run it. It's got a treadmill...got a bunch of pumps."

They use a lot of towels on their four-legged clients, and that requires a lot of washing and drying too. So far, they've seen a savings of $100 per month.

Corey says "It's just one part of a whole puzzle."

The West Broadway Neighborhood Association has a lofty goal of 50 percent participation in its West Side Solar Program.