Members of Baltimore Interfaith Solar Co-Op Select 21st Century Power Solutions as Group Installer
More than 50 residents in Baltimore City and Baltimore County have organized into a Solar Co-op leveraging their collective buying power to go solar together at dramatically reduced costs. Following a competitive bidding process, the group selected Baltimore area installer 21st Century Power Solutions to complete the co-op’s installations.
Interfaith Power & Light (DC.MD.NoVA) organized the Baltimore Interfaith Co-op over the summer of 2014. Participants were recruited through area congregations, including Towson Unitarian Universalist Church and The Church of the Redeemer. IPL partnered with the D.C.-based non-profit Community Power Network (CPN) to learn about solar, host information meetings, and solicit bids from local installers.
“So many homeowners in our communities want to take action on climate change by going solar at home,” says Joelle Novey, the director of IPL. “But it can be daunting for any one family to undertake the process alone. Our partnership with Community Power Network has been wonderful because it has gathered neighbors together and supported them through the process as a group. Within a few months, over fifty more households in Baltimore will be getting their energy ‘from heaven’!”
Co-op members are excited to select Catonsville, MD-based 21st Century Power Solutions for their competitive pricing, experience in the Baltimore area, high quality components and warranties, and commitment to strong hiring and workforce development practices. Founded in 2009 with the mission of bringing the benefits of clean, effective and environmentally responsible solar power to the homes and businesses of Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC., 21st Century Power Solutions specializes in design and installation of solar systems for residences, businesses, and government agencies.
“We’re really excited to do this work in our backyard in Baltimore City and Baltimore County and to work with members of such a diverse group of church congregations. And we’re especially excited to help make the Baltimore area a leader regionally on solar,” said 21st Century Power Solutions Project Manager Rob Reichel.
He added:
“21st Century takes great pride in the work we do and where we source our materials. We bring a lot of attention to craftsmanship in our solar installations. We like to make sure our projects not only perform efficiently but also preserve the unique character of each house we work on.”
Joelle and other members of IPL are helping to recruit people from the Baltimore area to join the group. New members can continue to join the group through November 30th.
About Community Power Network and Maryland SUN
The Community Power Network (CPN) is a network of grass roots, local, state, and national organizations working to build, and promote locally based renewable energy projects & policies. Our mission is, in part, to help people start their own community-based renewable energy projects by providing resources, technical assistance, case studies, and connections to other practitioners.
Maryland Solar United Neighborhoods (MD SUN) is a project of CPN which works to extend the benefits of solar power to every part of Maryland and to all residents. MD SUN works through grassroots organizing, policy engagement, and ratepayer advocacy. The group assists a diverse array of homeowners, organizations, and others in Maryland to save money through solar power by providing free technical assistance and other organizing support.
About Greater Washington Interfaith Power & Light (DC.MD.NoVA)
IPL engages hundreds of congregations across Maryland and the DC area in saving energy and going green. The local IPL affiliate is one of forty state affiliates engaging faith communities across the country in finding a religious response to climate change.