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Read below some of the latest and greatest Solar Co-op initiatives by Solar United Neighbors!
Solar co-op launches for Capital Area residents to go solar together
Washington, DC –Nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN) announced today the launch of the Capital Area Solar Co-op to help DMV area residents go solar. This is the first time that SUN has run a solar co-op covering the entire DMV area with municipal partners from Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC.
“The co-op will enable DMV homeowners and business owners to join the growing community of people saving money by harnessing solar power,” said Aaron Sutch, Mid-Atlantic program director for Solar United Neighbors. “Together, we’re building a movement to transform our electricity system into one that is cleaner, fairer, and shares its benefits more broadly.”
The co-op is free to join and open to homeowners and business owners in Northern Virginia, Washington, DC and Montgomery, Prince George’s and Frederick Counties in Maryland. Together, co-op members will learn about solar energy and leverage their numbers to purchase individual solar systems at a competitive price and top quality.
After a competitive bidding process facilitated by SUN, which remains vendor neutral, co-op members will select a single solar company in each state (or district) to complete the installations. Joining the co-op does not obligate members to purchase solar. Instead, members will have the option to individually purchase panels and electric vehicle chargers based on the installer’s group rate.
Co-op Partners:
Arlington County
DC Department of Energy and Environment
Montgomery County Green Bank
One Montgomery Green
Montgomery County, MD Department of Environmental Protection
Frederick County Office of Sustainability and Environmental Resources
Town of Poolesville
Poolesville Green
City of Bowie
Green Bowie
City of Gaithersburg
City of Rockville
Positive Change Purchasing Co-op LLC
Sustainable Takoma Park
City of Frederick
“We’re excited to partner with Solar United Neighbors again to help more homeowners and business owners in Arlington go solar,” said Helen Reinecke-Wilt of Arlington County. “We’re proud to be at the forefront of the nationwide movement to transform our electricity system into one that is cleaner. Going solar helps Arlington meet its carbon neutral goals.”
“We’re forming this co-op to make saving money with solar energy as simple as possible,” said Larissa Johnson, Residential Energy Program Manager for Montgomery County, MD. “Working with the group helps members learn about the technology so they feel confident in their decision to go solar.”
SUN has hosted 113 solar co-ops in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC since 2007. According to the group’s estimates, the 2,310 homes and businesses that now have solar panels because of co-ops represent: 16,390 kW of solar power, $45.3 million in local solar spending, and more than 386.7 million lbs. of lifetime carbon offsets.
SUN will host several free information sessions to educate community members about solar energy and the co-op. Individuals interested in going solar can sign up for the co-op or one of the upcoming information sessions at the co-op web page.
Information meetings are planned by Zoom webinar for:
Tuesday, April 6 at 12:00 pm hosted by Takoma Park
Friday, April 9 at 12:00 pm hosted by Arlington
Thursday, April 29 at 7:00 pm hosted by Poolesville
Thursday, May 13 at 6:30 pm hosted by Rockville, focused on solar leases and power purchase agreements
Wednesday, May 5 at 6:30 pm hosted by Arlington
Friday, June 4 at 12:00 pm hosted by Arlington
Thursday, May 20 at 12:00 pm hosted by Poolesville, focused on Solar and Electric Vehicles and EV Chargers
Wednesday, May 26 at 12:00 pm hosted by Frederick County and the City of Frederick
About Solar United Neighbors
Solar United Neighbors is a nonprofit organization that works in the DMV area and nationwide to represent the needs and interests of solar owners and supporters. Solar co-ops are part of the organization’s mission to create a new energy system with rooftop solar at the cornerstone. Solar United Neighbors holds events and education programs to help people become informed solar consumers, maximize the value of their solar investment, and advocate for fair solar policies.
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