Island entities, others partner on new regional solar co-op
Nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN) recently announced the launch of the Southwest Florida 2023 Solar Co-op to provide residents and businesses in Lee and Collier counties with collective buying power to affordably convert to solar energy.
SUN reported that the recent impacts of Hurricane Ian have highlighted the urgency to help homeowners rebuild a more resilient community. Rooftop solar, when paired with battery storage, can help power homes and life-saving equipment during power outages.
A brief announcement about the launch was made on Jan. 17 at the SWFL Climate & Community Summit at the Arthex One Conference Center in Naples. SUN’s Gulf Coast program associate was in attendance during the summit to answer questions about going solar and to share their experiences.
“The co-op will enable Southwest Florida homeowners and business owners to join the growing community of people saving money by harnessing solar power,” SUN Gulf Coast Program Associate Julia Herbst said. “Together, we’re building a movement to transform our electricity system into one that is cleaner, fairer and shares its benefits more broadly. With the ever-present threat of hurricanes, there’s never been a better time to strengthen the electricity grid.”
Island partners on the co-op include the city of Sanibel, Sanibel-Captiva Renewable Energy Working Group, Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce, Committee of the Islands, “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and Bailey’s General Store. Additional partners include the Lee County Chapter of The Climate Reality Project, Growing Climate Solutions, Engage Estero, League of Women Voters Collier County and All Faiths Unitarian Congregation.
The return of a SUN co-op to the region is the result of a collaboration with the Sanibel-Captiva Renewable Energy Working Group, according to Co-chair Bob Moore. The Sanibel-Captiva Renewable Energy Working Group is a coalition of organizations working to address energy resiliency and sustainability for the community.
“Hurricane Ian is a strong reminder of how important energy resilience is to our region and state. Rooftop solar can be a part of the solution,” he said. “Plus, it can save money for homeowners, businesses, cities and nonprofits, while keeping our air cleaner. It’s a no brainer.”
The DDWS launched the state’s first community solar co-op in 2015 to benefit the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s Visitor & Education Center and maintenance garage, plus a number of residential and commercial buildings on-island. Executive Director Birgie Miller reported that based on the success of that SanCap Solar Connect campaign, it has faith in community solarization efforts.
“Thanks to its success, we were able to convert the refuge Visitor & Education Center and maintenance garage to solar. Hurricane Ian, however, blew away most of the solar panels. Now we also are building the new The Roost outdoor learning pavilion in an earth-friendly way,” she said. “It makes sense for us to join in the SUN efforts, and we urge all local business owners and homeowners to do the same.”
“We recognize and appreciate the leadership showed with the original SanCap co-op,” Herbst noted.
SUN reported that as Floridians continue to rebuild and recover from hurricane season, rooftop solar is one way that consumers can rebuild more resilient communities and be prepared for the next storm. Solar panels can handle severe weather events and, if the homeowner has battery storage too, solar can keep critical appliances and medical devices up and running. Systems installed in hurricane zones are designed to withstand hurricane force winds.
The Southwest Florida 2023 Solar Co-op is free to join. Members will learn about solar energy and leverage their numbers to purchase individual solar systems at a competitive price and top quality.
After a bidding process facilitated by SUN, which remains vendor neutral, members will select a solar company for installations. Joining does not obligate members to purchase solar. Instead, they have the option to individually purchase panels and electric vehicle chargers based on the company’s group rate.
“We are excited to support this solar co-op for Southwest Florida,” SCCF Chief Executive Officer James Evans, who also serves as co-chair for the Sanibel-Captiva Renewable Energy Working Group, said. “Harnessing energy from the sun just makes good economic sense and should be embraced by everyone in the Sunshine State.”
Bailey’s General Store first utilized the solar co-op model in 2020.
“We’re excited at the opportunity to increase our energy production beyond the 480 panels currently in operation. Rooftop solar fits well with our environmental and financial business strategy for economic recovery in the next 24 months,” owner Richard Johnson said. ” We’re fortunate a majority of our 480 panels survived the Category 5 winds during Ian. As we make plans to rebuild, solar and other resilient energy technology will play an integral role in reopening our doors and returning to normal.”
SUN will host free, virtual informational sessions on the co-op and solar power:
– Jan. 30 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.: “Florida Solar 101: Webinar”
To register, visit https://www.solarunitedneighbors.org/event/florida-solar-101-23-01-30/.
– Feb. 28 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.: “Florida Solar 101: Webinar”
To register, visit https://www.solarunitedneighbors.org/event/florida-solar-101-23-02-28/.
For more information about the co-op, visit solarunitedneighbors.org/swfl.
SUN has hosted 76 solar co-ops in Florida since 2015.