On Feb. 1, Plano Solar Advocates partnered with area nonprofit Solar United Neighbors to launch the 2024 Plano Solar Co-Op, a free program that seeks to educate members about solar energy.
Solar United Neighbors will facilitate a bidding process, after which co-op members will select a solar company to complete the installations. Though co-op members does not obligate members to then purchase solar, those who join will have the option to purchase panels and electric vehicle chargers based on the installer’s group rate.
“More and more Texans are interested in solar and battery storage, especially in response to increasingly extreme weather in both the winter and summer, but often don’t know where to start or whether they can afford it,” said America Garcia, Texas program director for Solar United Neighbors. “That’s where the solar co-op comes in – we help homeowners figure out the costs, learn about the available incentives and decide if solar is right for them.”
By helping more Plano residents go solar, the co-op aims to increase local resiliency and reduce strain on the electricity grid. Solar United Neighbors has hosted 20 solar group buying programs in Texas since 2018, totaling 3.2 MW of solar and more than 1.1 MW of battery storage installed.
“The City of Plano supports and applauds Solar United Neighbors for facilitating the Plano Solar Co-Op. Not only do co-op members learn about solar energy, they leverage their participation numbers to get competitive pricing and quality solar installations,” said Heather Harrington, the city’s sustainability and environmental education supervisor. “SUN works closely with the co-op members every step along the process to ensure the members are supported and have guidance.”
Free webinars are planned for Tuesday, Feb. 6 and Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.
