In recent years, homeowners who were interested in solar energy upgrades may have shied away from the high upfront costs that can characterize such purchases. However, more people around the country are learning that they can still go solar without paying too much up front.

For example, Arizona Public Service announced this week that it has received approval from state regulators for a pilot program that will use rooftops on homes and businesses in the Flagstaff area for clean energy generation.

Under the program, APS will own, operate and receive the energy generated from the photovoltaic panels, while customers will benefit from a long-term community power rate for the solar energy they use. The rate is guaranteed to stay largely unchanged for the next 20 years.

The community power project in Flagstaff is expected to generate about 1.5 megawatts of electricity, with about 200 homes and businesses participating.

Also, the utility's project will involve the construction of several small wind turbines and a utility-scale photovoltaic solar array that will be used to help make further advances in clean energy technology.