First solar co-op launches in Kentucky
Neighbors in eastern Kentucky have formed a solar co-op to save money and make going solar easier, while building a network of solar supporters. Kentuckians For The Commonwealth is the co-op’s sponsor. The group is seeking participants and will host an information session at 6 p.m., March 1 at the Perry County Public Library in Hazard to educate the community about solar, the co-op process and what incentives are available.
“Folks are tired of paying too much for electricity” said Pamela Brashear of Viper, KY. Brashear is organizing the meeting so that more people in Perry County and the surrounding counties can learn about how they can go solar, and reduce their utility bills.
Solar United Neighbors expands access to solar by educating communities about the benefits of distributed solar energy, helping them organize group solar installations, and by strengthening solar policies and its community of solar supporters. Solar United Neighbors has worked with over 100 solar co-ops nationally, helping more than 150 homes go solar in Ohio and 100 in West Virginia. Residents in Ohio have saved over half a million dollars in the cost of their installations by going solar through a co-op.
“I’m excited to help Kentucky get its first solar co-op going,” said Luke Sulfridge of Solar United Neighbors. “I’m a graduate of Berea College and Eastern Kentucky University in addition to having deep roots in eastern Kentucky. I’m honored to be helping with this effort.”
Eastern Kentucky residents interested in joining the co-op can sign up at the co-op web page. Joining the co-op is not a commitment to purchase panels. Once the group is large enough, Solar United Neighbors will help the co-op solicit competitive bids from area solar installers.
Co-op participants 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, participants can save off the cost of going solar and have the support of fellow group participants and solar experts at Solar United Neighbors.
Information session details
Thursday, March 1
6 p.m.
Perry County Public Library
289 Black Gold Boulevard
Hazard, KY 41701
Click here to RSVP