Meteor staff from reports
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
The nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors announced the launch of the Tucson Solar Co-op today, in partnership with the Center for Biological Diversity and Physicians for Social Responsibility Arizona.
The co-op aims to help Tucson homeowners and business owners go solar. It is free to join and open to anyone in Tucson interested in learning more about solar. Co-op members will learn about solar energy and leverage their numbers to ensure each member receives competitive pricing and quality solar installations.
“The co-op will enable Tucson homeowners and business owners to join the growing community of people saving money by harnessing solar power,” said Bret Fanshaw, Arizona program director for Solar United Neighbors. “Together, we’re boosting the clean energy economy here in Arizona, and we’re building a movement to transform our electricity system into one that is cleaner, fairer, and shares its benefits more broadly.”
After a competitive bidding process facilitated by Solar United Neighbors, co-op members will select a single solar company to complete the installations. Joining the co-op does not obligate members to purchase solar. Instead, members will have the option to individually purchase panels and electric vehicle chargers based on the installer’s group rate.
“Solar cooperatives are a great way to support local, clean energy that benefits people and wildlife,” said Greer Ryan, an energy policy analyst for the Center for Biological Diversity. “We’re excited to help bring this project to the people of Tucson.”
Solar United Neighbors has hosted two other solar co-ops in Arizona in 2019 and 2020. According to the group’s estimates, the 30 homes and businesses that now have solar panels because of co-ops represent: 159.4 kilowatts of solar power, $456,000 in local solar spending and more than 6.3 million pounds of lifetime carbon offsets.
Solar United Neighbors will host several informational webinars to educate community members about solar energy and the solar co-op.
The first will take place online on Tuesday, June 16, at 6 p.m.
A second webinar will be held on Tuesday, June 23, at 6 p.m.
The webinars are free and open to anyone who is curious about going solar in Tucson. Register for a free webinar here.
Individuals interested in going solar can learn more and sign up for the co-op free at the co-op web page.
