Alachua County residents form Solar Co-op to go solar together, get a discount

Neighbors in Alachua County have formed a solar co-op to save money and make going solar easier, while building a network of solar supporters. Suwannee St. John’s Sierra Club, League of Women Voters Alachua County, Swamp Head Brewery, Earthkeepers, Interfaith Climate Group, Ygrene Energy Fund, We Are Neutral, and FL SUN are the co-op sponsors. The group is seeking members and will host an information meeting on April 30 at 3 p.m. at the Alachua County Library Headquarters (401 East University Avenue) to educate the community about solar and the co-op process.

Joining the co-op is not a commitment to purchase panels. Once the group is large enough, FL SUN will help the co-op solicit competitive bids from area solar installers.

Co-op members will select a single company to complete all of the installations. They will then have the option to purchase panels individually based on the installer’s group rate. By going solar as a group and choosing a single installer, participant can save up to 20% off the cost of their system.