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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Tuesday was a historical day as the Colorado Springs City Council made an important decision in the city's renewable energy future.

"I think this is something that could really put this city on the map as an innovator and leader," David Amster-Olszewski said during Tuesday's city council meeting.

Amster-Olszewski is the founder of the local solar energy company SunShare. In August, the company proposed to build the region's first community solar garden, equipped with hundreds of solar panels, as a way to help residents participate in solar energy and cut back on energy costs.

"When I met David, I was thrilled with his innovative, entrepreneurial concept this young man brings forward," Colorado Rep. Pete Lee said when he addressed the council. "We certainly need that in this community."

After several community leaders and residents took to the podium and urged for approval of the project, city council unanimously voted to allow construction of the solar garden in Colorado Springs.

"I think this is one of the most exciting decisions city council has made in awhile," Jan Martin, City Council President Pro Tem, said. "It's everything we need for the future of our community."

City council's decision, along with a partnership with Colorado Springs Utilities, gives city residents the ability to participate in solar energy and reduce energy costs.

"With SunShare, people are able to lease solar panels in a community facility that's not on their roof," Amster-Olszewski said.

The first community solar garden will have 2,200 solar panels that consumers can lease for $550 each with a two-panel minimum, including a $400 rebate from Colorado Springs Utilities. Amster-Olszewski said leasing two panels can reduce the average electric bill by 10 percent and are transferable.

"They might move in several years, like soldiers, so they need something that is transferable and not on their roof," he said, adding consumers can also donate the panels to a non-profit or sell them.

"It is a great opportunity for people like myself," Martin said, "who don't have the ability to place a solar panel on their home, or who just want to participate and can't afford putting solar panels on their house."

Colorado Springs resident Joseph Luciano attended the meeting to express his support of the community solar garden and was pleased with city council's decision.

"Whether you rent or own a home, you can participate in solar energy," he said. "We're going to be in the forefront of the country in providing the ability of citizens to participate in getting this country off of dependency on foreign energy."

SunShare has already taken 250 reservations for solar panels, which will be built later this year. Amster-Olszewski said the location of the solar garden is expected to be announced within the next week. The company plans to build community solar gardens in several cities along the front range, with Colorado Springs being the first location.

The company is hosting an information session Thursday, Sept. 29 at 5:30 p.m. at Jack Quinn's in downtown Colorado Springs.