Solar co-op launches in Rochester; homeowners to go solar together, get a discount

Neighbors in Rochester have formed a solar co-op to save money and make going solar easier, while building a network of solar supporters. The Rochester Energy Commission and Conservation Minnesota are the solar co-op sponsors. The group is seeking participants and will host an information meeting on Thursday, February 22 at 7:30 p.m. in Rochester City Hall to educate the community about solar and the solar co-op process.

Rochester residents interested in joining the solar co-op can sign up at the co-op web page. 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 solar co-op solicit competitive bids from area solar installers.

Solar 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.