Neighbors in Okaloosa and Walton Counties have formed
a solar co-op to save money, make their homes more resilient, and simplify
the process of going solar, with the help of nonprofit Solar United
Neighbors. The League of Women Voters of Okaloosa and Walton Counties, Earth
Ethics, Inc., Sierra Club Emerald Coast, the NAACP Okaloosa Branch, and
Coastal Community Cleanup are sponsoring the co-op.
The group is seeking participants and will host an information meeting
Wednesday, November 14th at 5:30 p.m. at the Coastal Branch Library in Santa
Rosa Beach (details below), to educate the community about solar and the
co-op process.
“We are supporting the solar co-op because we have an unprecedented
opportunity to transition our country towards clean energy,” said Mary
Gutierrez, Executive Director of Earth Ethics. “We want to be the part of
the United States that creates the largest renewable energy market and
develop a competitive and lasting job market for those transitioning from the
fossil fuel industry. This isn’t just about protecting the environment,
it’s about moving our country towards sustainable, clean energy sources.”
The co-op is launching in the wake of Hurricane Michael. While the hurricane
caused extensive damage across the Panhandle, solar systems held their own.
“The wind was unreal” said Mike Fitzgerald, past co-op participant in
Panama City Beach, FL. “Our home is about 5 miles from the eyewall, where
there were 155 mph sustained winds. Our 52 solar panels are intact and
received no damage.”
Solar panels, when paired with battery storage, can help homeowners whose
power has been cut keep the lights on.
Solar United Neighbors expands access to solar by educating Floridians about
the benefits of distributed solar energy, helping them organize group solar
installations, and strengthening Florida solar policies and its community of
solar supporters.
“I am excited to work with residents of Okaloosa and Walton Counties to
educate them about the benefits of solar energy,” said Heaven Campbell,
Solar United Neighbors Program Associate. “If you’ve ever thought about
going solar before, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.”
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 up off the cost of going solar and
have the support of fellow group participants and solar experts at Solar
United Neighbors.
Okaloosa and Walton homeowners interested in joining the co-op can sign up
at: solarunitedneighbors.org/okaloosa-walton. 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.
Solar United Neighbors supports solar co-ops across the country. These co-ops
are a part of the organization’s mission to create a new energy system with
rooftop solar as the cornerstone. Solar United Neighbors holds events and
education programs to help people become informed solar consumers, maximize
the value of their solar investment and advocate for fair solar policies.
Those interested in supporting the organizations’ work and becoming a
member can do so at their website.
Information session details:
Wednesday, November 14, 5:30 pm
Coastal Branch Library
437 Greenway Trail
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
More will be added soon: www.SolarUnitedNeighbors.org/Okaloosa-Walton
a solar co-op to save money, make their homes more resilient, and simplify
the process of going solar, with the help of nonprofit Solar United
Neighbors. The League of Women Voters of Okaloosa and Walton Counties, Earth
Ethics, Inc., Sierra Club Emerald Coast, the NAACP Okaloosa Branch, and
Coastal Community Cleanup are sponsoring the co-op.
The group is seeking participants and will host an information meeting
Wednesday, November 14th at 5:30 p.m. at the Coastal Branch Library in Santa
Rosa Beach (details below), to educate the community about solar and the
co-op process.
“We are supporting the solar co-op because we have an unprecedented
opportunity to transition our country towards clean energy,” said Mary
Gutierrez, Executive Director of Earth Ethics. “We want to be the part of
the United States that creates the largest renewable energy market and
develop a competitive and lasting job market for those transitioning from the
fossil fuel industry. This isn’t just about protecting the environment,
it’s about moving our country towards sustainable, clean energy sources.”
The co-op is launching in the wake of Hurricane Michael. While the hurricane
caused extensive damage across the Panhandle, solar systems held their own.
“The wind was unreal” said Mike Fitzgerald, past co-op participant in
Panama City Beach, FL. “Our home is about 5 miles from the eyewall, where
there were 155 mph sustained winds. Our 52 solar panels are intact and
received no damage.”
Solar panels, when paired with battery storage, can help homeowners whose
power has been cut keep the lights on.
Solar United Neighbors expands access to solar by educating Floridians about
the benefits of distributed solar energy, helping them organize group solar
installations, and strengthening Florida solar policies and its community of
solar supporters.
“I am excited to work with residents of Okaloosa and Walton Counties to
educate them about the benefits of solar energy,” said Heaven Campbell,
Solar United Neighbors Program Associate. “If you’ve ever thought about
going solar before, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.”
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 up off the cost of going solar and
have the support of fellow group participants and solar experts at Solar
United Neighbors.
Okaloosa and Walton homeowners interested in joining the co-op can sign up
at: solarunitedneighbors.org/okaloosa-walton. 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.
Solar United Neighbors supports solar co-ops across the country. These co-ops
are a part of the organization’s mission to create a new energy system with
rooftop solar as the cornerstone. Solar United Neighbors holds events and
education programs to help people become informed solar consumers, maximize
the value of their solar investment and advocate for fair solar policies.
Those interested in supporting the organizations’ work and becoming a
member can do so at their website.
Information session details:
Wednesday, November 14, 5:30 pm
Coastal Branch Library
437 Greenway Trail
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
More will be added soon: www.SolarUnitedNeighbors.org/Okaloosa-Walton
