The nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors recently announced the launch of the Orange County 2021 Co-op to help Orange County residents and business owners go solar.
The co-op is free to join and open to all homeowners and business owners in the County. Together, co-op members will learn about solar energy and leverage their numbers to ensure each member receives competitive pricing and a quality solar installation.
The co-op will be the eighth such project held in Orange County, resulting in more than 355 installations on homes and small businesses. In addition to providing support and savings for residents to go solar, the co-ops have also stimulated over $8.3 million in local economic activity.
After a competitive bidding process facilitated by Solar United Neighbors, co-op members will select a single solar company 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.
“It is my vision to build a community of the future that includes clean, reliable energy that is accessible,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. “We continue to help bring solar co-ops to our community, and help residents power their homes with the sun plus learn about solar energy.”
Mayor Demings pointed out that in partnership with the Orlando Utilities Commission and Duke Energy, renewable energy projects are thriving in Central Florida. “In fact, our community was recognized as a top-ranked county for installed solar on the grid in 2020. Increasing solar energy and storage in our region’s energy portfolio is a critical step along the difficult, but necessary path to achieve 100 percent clean and renewable energy.”
Solar United Neighbors has hosted 67 solar co-ops in Florida since 2015. According to the group’s estimates, the 1,900+ homes and businesses that now have solar panels because of co-ops represent: 18+ thousand kW of solar power, $42 million in local solar spending, and more than 622.8 million lbs. of lifetime carbon offsets.
Solar United Neighbors 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.
A free informational webinar is planned for:
Learn more, register for a webinar, and join the solar co-op here.
