Expanding solar in Florida’s panhandle

Solar United Neighbors has been “bringing solar to the Sunshine State” since 2016. In 2018, we have a new focus: Expanding solar in the Sunshine State! We began the year by launching several new co-ops. With strong partner support, we ventured west to form the Leon County Solar Co-op — featuring our state’s sunny capital, Tallahassee. This creative, driven group has paved the path for other co-ops in the region and encouraged and informed other organizers.

It is no surprise that we soon thereafter launched our Franklin-Bay Solar Co-op at the beautiful Panama City campus of Gulf Coast State College! This co-op is open until mid-July and the final two information sessions can be found here.

What is next for the Panhandle region? We are currently working with Earth Ethics Inc., League of Women Voters Pensacola Bay Area, and League of Women Voters of Okaloosa County to build co-ops in Okaloosa, Walton, Escambia and other Panhandle counties. We are actively looking for additional partners and volunteers to bring a project to these areas. Partnership is a great way to meet other community organizations and come together in support of solar!

We welcome any organizations with conservation, sustainability, and/or consumer education and protection goals—from breweries to local governments—to reach out to learn more about partnering and sharing in our success! Please email: flteam@solarunitedneighbors.org to get involved in this grassroots movement!

Thank you to our current local partners in NW FL and the Panhandle helping us to expand solar in the Sunshine State: Florida Conservation Voters Education Fund, League of Women Voters of Tallahassee, Rethink Energy Florida, Sustainable Tallahassee, Sierra Club Big Bend Group, Bay County League of Women Voters, WKGC 90.7FM, City of Apalachicola, Downtown Books, St. Andrew Bay Watch, League of Women Voters Pensacola Bay Area, League of Women Voters of Okaloosa County, Turner Foundation and Earth Ethics Inc.