Alachua County Solar Co-op releases RFP, announces info session

The 30-member Alachua solar co-op today issued a request for proposals (RFP) from area solar installers. The group members created the co-op to save money and make going solar easier, while building a network of solar supporters. The League of Women Voters, Sierra Club, Swamp Head Brewery, Unitarian Universalists Fellowship of Gainesville, Earthkeepers, Interfaith Climate Group, Ygrene Energy Fund, We Are Neutral, and FL SUN are the co-op sponsors. The group also announced it will host an information meeting May 21 at 3:00 p.m. at the Alachua Library Branch to educate the community about solar and the co-op process.

Joining the co-op is not a commitment to purchase panels. 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, each participant generally saves up to 20% off the cost of their system.