Cuyahoga County launching third co-op for residents seeking solar systems at home or for business
Posted Apr 04, 2019
A view of the Cuyahoga County administration buildingThe Plain Dealer
By Courtney Astolfi, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Interested in using solar power at home or for business?
Cuyahoga County's Department of Sustainability will host three meetings later this month for residents who might be interested in forming a co-op to reduce the cost of installing solar arrays.
Meeting locations and dates:
• Tuesday, April 23, 6 to 8 p.m. — Brookpark Community Center community room, 17400 Holland Road • Wednesday, April 24, 6 to 8 p.m. — Great Lakes Tasting Room, 2701 Carroll Avenue, Cleveland • Thursday, April 25, 6 to 8 p.m. — Cuyahoga County Public Library Mayfield Branch, 500 SOM Center Road
Participants will learn about:
•How to determine if their home is right for solar energy
•The 30 percent federal solar tax credit
•How to use the county's low-interest HELP loan program to buy a solar system
•How to solve technical issues
•Typical industry warranties
•Cost savings involved in forming a buyer's co-op to solicit bids from installers.
The Department of Sustainability is partnering with Solar United Neighbors to present the meetings. The organization has worked with nearly a dozen solar co-ops in Ohio, helping 170 homes in the state go solar, according to a county news release.
Once the Cuyahoga County 100 prospective co-op members are found, bids will be solicited from installers, and co-op members will choose which installer to go with, the release said.
Members will receive an individualized proposal that incorporates a discount, as the co-op will allow members to save money by making large-scale group purchases.
Director of Sustainability Mike Foley said this will be the third round of Cuyahoga County's solar co-op program.
He expects those who join this co-op to save $25,000 per household over 25 years. The 80 local homeowners who have already participated in past co-ops have saved about 20 percent on the cost of solar installations, Foley said.
"The use of solar power is such a vital way to help improve the environment as we struggle with the effects of climate change," said County Executive Armond Budish in the release. "This program allows residents and business owners to support growing renewable energy production in Northeast Ohio while saving money at the same time."