Neighbors in Augusta County have formed a solar co-op, leveraging their group buying power to go solar together and get a discount off the installation price.
The 45-member group has issued a request for proposal from local solar installers to serve the co-op and will hold an information session onJ une 17, at 7 pm at Sunspots Glassblowing Studios (202 S Lewis St, Staunton). The information session will educate interested community members about solar energy and the co-op process. Climate Action Alliance of the Valley and VA SUN are sponsoring the co-op.
“We’ve been thrilled with the high level of community interest in saving money with solar energy,” said Climate Action Alliance of the Valley member Sandy Greene. “Augusta residents have taken to the co-op model because it is great to have support of a group when taking on a project like putting solar panels on your rooftop.”
VA SUN is a nonprofit that helps make solar more affordable and accessible. It has worked with almost a dozen solar co-ops in Virginia. It helped 144 homes go solar, saving Virginia residents $396,000 in just the past year.
Residents in and around Augusta County interested in joining the co-op can sign up at the co-op website. Joining the co-op is not a commitment to purchase panels. Co-op members will have the option to purchase panels based upon the installer’s offer individually. By going solar as a group and choosing a single installer, each participant generally saves up to 20% off the cost of their system.
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Chris Graham
