Solar co-op restarts in Alachua County

For the second year in a row, Alachua County residents can come together to go solar for less.

Local organizations have partnered up and launched a solar cooperative for community members to have an easier and cheaper path to installing solar panels.

By banding together, members of the co-op can purchase solar systems with a bulk discount of about 20 percent.

The Solar United Neighbors of Florida, along with the Alachua County chapter of League of Women Voters, led the creation of the cooperative.

Once enough people join the program, a member of Solar United Neighbors of Florida will send out bids to contractors in the state. From those bids, the group chooses a single company to install the panels at an agreed-upon price.

Wes Wheeler, vice president for the local chapter of League of Women Voters, said the cooperative is good for everyone involved.

“You save money and save the environment at the same time,” Wheeler said. “It’s letting the sun pay your power bill.”

An average solar co-op system is around $10,000. The federal solar tax credit takes off around 30 percent of that cost, leaving a typical net price tag of $7,000.

Wheeler said he saves around $1,200 each year thanks to his solar system, enough to eventually pay off the $9,000 he spent on the panels.

Heaven Campbell, the local representative from Solar United Neighbors of Florida, said the co-op also has an educational benefit, and people have the freedom to be as involved as they want in the group.

Joining is free, and members are not required to purchase solar systems.

Those interested can sign up at solarunitedneighbors.org/alachua. The last day to join is Feb. 15, though Wheeler said installations will continue beyond that date.

The head organizations are hosting informational meetings for those interested in knowing more, scheduled on Dec. 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Tower Road Branch Library. The final info meeting will occur on Jan. 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the Millhopper Branch Library.