Collins Lake Autism Center is a nonprofit based in Cleveland, New Mexico that provides adults with Autism and Developmental Disabilities with outdoor recreation opportunities, a Remote Learning Center, and other social programs. 

Collins Lake Ranch is a 300-acre valley property that features a 12-acre lake with a beach area for launching boats and room for fishing. The property features a resident housing building, barn, community center, a sustainable organic farm, and a small community garden, all of which are activity hubs that serve people with disabilities. 

Collins Lake also provides residential supported living, community support groups, and integrated employment services to support their residents through meaningful employment opportunities. There are six residents that live at Collins Lake and many more receive respite care, including short and long-term care. Collins Lake also host a number of social programs for their residents and the community, including picnics, a chili festival, and other social programs that bring the community together.

Bringing Solar to Collins Lake 

Glen Carlberg, the Executive Director of Collins Lake says, “We are fortunate to be the managers of an extraordinary property and we take our stewardship role seriously. Going solar is an important part of assuring future generations will benefit from our efforts.” 

By going solar with RE-volv, Collins Lake will save $28,500 over the course of the system’s lifetime. Collins Lake can invest these savings back into their mission and programs that support adults with Autism and Developmental Disabilities. Collins Lake went solar for $0 down and their monthly payments will be invested into RE-volv’s Solar Seed Fund, a revolving fund for solar that is used to bring solar to nonprofits throughout the country. 

Steve Smaby, the founder of Collins Lake says that going solar with RE-volv has, “Provided lower cost energy with no investment expenses and helped in our effort to protect the environment.”  

Collins Lake’s 17 kW Solar System