Want solar power for your Bradenton home? Joining this group could make it more affordable
The nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN) announced this week the launch of the Manasota Solar Co-op to help residents and businesses go solar in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
“The co-op will enable homeowners and business owners to join the growing community of people saving money by harnessing solar power,” Julia Herbst, Gulf Coast co-op coordinator for SUN, said. “Together, we’re building a movement to transform our electricity system into one that is cleaner, fairer, and shares its benefits more broadly.”
SUN recently launched co-ops in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Palm Beach, and Citrus counties as well.
The new co-op is actually the second launched by SUN in the Bradenton area, but the first to serve both Manatee and Sarasota counties. The first co-op, launched in 2018, was very successful and helped more than 60 Manatee County residents install solar panels on their homes, Herbst said Friday.
The Manasota Solar Co-op is free to join and open to homeowners and business owners, offering members an opportunity to learn about solar energy and leverage their numbers to purchase individual solar systems at a competitive price and top quality.
“We are committed to supporting our local communities and citizens in becoming more energy-resilient,” Eric Caplan, manager of Manatee County’s Energy & Sustainability Division, said in a press release.
“As we all live in one of the country’s most vulnerable areas, it is imperative that we support programs that encourage these resiliency initiatives. We look forward to seeing more solar on homes throughout Manatee and Sarasota counties,” Caplan said.
Florida Veterans for Common Sense also supported the solar co-op.
“The savings from rooftop solar on families’ electric bills means energy security for Americans. Why should anyone pay more for electricity than they need to?” “said Gene Jones, founder and president of Florida Veterans for Common Sense.
After a competitive bidding process facilitated by SUN, which remains vendor neutral, 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.
The solar co-op is funded by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Partnering on the co-op are Sarasota County, Manatee County, and the city of Sarasota. Partners also include: League of Women Voters Sarasota County, League of Women Voters Manatee County, Sierra Club Manatee Sarasota Group, Suncoast Climate Justice Coalition, Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, Manatee Clean Energy Alliance, and Florida Veterans for Common Sense.
SUN has hosted 65 solar co-ops in Florida since 2015. According to the group’s estimates, the 1,879 homes and businesses that now have solar panels because of co-ops represent: 17,962 thousand kW of solar power, $41.2 million in local solar spending, and more than 612.8 million pounds of lifetime carbon offsets.
The concept of having a solar co-op in the Bradenton area was introduced in 2018 by the League of Women voters.
“Less than one percent of the sun’s energy that reaches Earth is all that is needed to fuel all photosynthetic life,” Jeff Rodgers, chief operating officer of the South Florida Museum, said in 2018. “What if we could also capture some of the sun’s energy and put it to work for us?”
SUN will host several free information sessions to educate community members about solar energy and the co-op. Anyone interested in learning more can sign up for the co-op or one of the information sessions at the co-op web page: www.solarunitedneighbors.org/manasota.
Information meetings are planned for 6 p.m. Tuesday, 6 p.m. April 7 or noonMay 13.
Solar United Neighbors is a nonprofit organization that works in Florida and nationwide to represent the needs and interests of solar owners and supporters. Solar co-ops are part of the organization’s mission to create a new energy system with rooftop solar at 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.
