Solar power for home and small business owners is a good deal for consumers; and a great deal for the environment. The Cuyahoga County Solar Co-op makes this deal even better.
What is the Cuyahoga County Solar Co-op?
The Cuyahoga County Solar Co-op brings consumers together to obtain better prices from manufacturers. Co-op members make this happen by asking for bids from multiple installers. Co-op members then save 15%-20% on the price of a solar install.
Membership is free and members can quit at any time. Imagine walking into a solar company’s office with 50 or 100 of your neighbors and saying, “We all want to go solar. What kind of deal can you give us?” That’s a solar co-op!
Additionally, the Co-op works to educate its members and county about all aspects of going solar.
The Cuyahoga County Solar Co-op is funded by the Cuyahoga County Department of Sustainability and administered by Solar United Neighbors, a nonprofit solar advocacy group.
Why Go Solar?
Here are some key facts:
- Electrical generation accounts for 28% of America’s greenhouse gas production
- Average American home produces 14,920 pounds of CO2 a year from energy use- That’s as much as 3 African Elephants!
- You can eliminate this 14,920 pounds of CO2 with a 5 Kilowatt Solar System
- As of 2021, the US has installed 121 gigawatts of Solar offsetting 136 million metric tons of CO2
Solar panels have 1- increased in efficiency and 2- become less expensive.
In 1960, solar panels converted 20% of the sun’s energy to electricity. In 2020 researchers reached 47.1% efficiency. At the same time costs have decreased. The cost of a solar panel installation in 2009 was $8.50 per watt but now is $2.77. In Northern Ohio, it’s even less expensive.
How Do I Join the Co-op?
The first step is to attend an online or in-person info session. Participants will learn about incentives such as SREC’s (Solar Renewable Energy Credits) and the 26% Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit. We also cover the least expensive financing options such as the Cuyahoga County HELP loan program, Ohio ECOLINK loans, and federal loan opportunities. Costs, warranties, technical advances, and industry warranties will also be explored. Batteries, car charging ports, and other closely related issues will be dealt with. Participants will also learn how to spot a deal that is too good to be true.
Our next Info Session will take place on Thursday, May 12 at 6 pm at the Lakewood Public Library located at 15425 Detroit Ave. It will also be available online. To join the 2022 Cuyahoga County Solar Co-op, go to https://coops.solarunitedneighbors.org/coops/2022-cuyahoga-solar-co-op-final-round/ and find the Join tab. To sign up for the online info session use the same link, find the Events tab, and follow the prompts. For a wealth of knowledge about going solar go to http://solarunitedneighbors.org/ohio and find the Learn tab.