Fort Collins residents form Colorado’s first solar co-op to go solar together, get a discount

By Ben Delman on March 7, 2019
Solar supporters, Fort Collins city officials, and others join together to launch the Fort Collins Solar Co-op.

Today marked the launch of Colorado’s first solar co-op. Neighbors in Fort Collins formed a solar co-op to save money and make going solar easier, with the help of non-profit Solar United Neighbors. The co-op was made possible with a grant from Innovate Fort Collins last year, and is receiving partnership support from Colorado Renewable Energy Society Northern Chapter (CRES), New Energy Colorado, Alpine Bank, and the Sustainable Living Association. The group celebrated the launch at a midday media event and will host an information meeting in the evening to educate the community about solar and the co-op process as they seek participants. The group will also host an information session April 18 (details below).

Fort Collins Mayor Pro Tem Gerry Horak and Councilmember Ross Cuniff were on hand to launch the solar co-op. They spoke about the benefits solar offers to Fort Collins and expressed excitement about the solar co-op’s ability to help homeowners go solar.

“I’m excited to be a part of the launch of the Fort Collins Solar Co-Op,” Horak said. “As the City continues its journey toward carbon neutrality, this type of program, with a partner like Solar United Neighbors, will help expand access for more residents to participate in solar generation and move us closer to our energy goals.”

Fort Collins homeowners interested in joining the co-op can sign up at the co-op web page: www.solarunitedneighbors.org/fortcollins. The solar co-op is free to join and joining 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 guidance from the experts at Solar United Neighbors.

Information session details

Thursday, April 18
6 p.m.
The Group, Inc.
2803 East Harmony Road
Fort Collins, Colorado 80528
Click here to RSVP