Hamilton County residents will band together this year to form the first solar co-op in Fishers, which will allow members to purchase and install money-saving solar panels using a single installer at a group rate.
“Establishing a co-op lowers the cost for local residents to install solar power and reap the economic and environmental benefits of clean energy,” said Zach Schalk, Solar United Neighbors of Indiana Program Director.
Solar United Neighbors expands access to solar by educating Hoosiers about the benefits of distributed solar energy, helping them organize group solar installations, and strengthening Indiana solar policies and its community of solar supporters.
The co-op will be announced at 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 5 at 13600 Conner Knoll Pkwy., a home that already has solar panels installed so attendees can learn more about the process. Solar United Neighbors will conduct a series of local meetings following the kickoff to sign up local residents.
Presenters will include Solar United Neighbors Indiana Program Director Zach Schalk, Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard, Carmel Green Initiative President Leslie Webb and solar homeowner George Peregrim.
Community partners to date include Solarize Indiana, local nonprofits Carmel Green Initiative and Westfield Green Together, the City of Carmel, the City of Fishers, the City of Noblesville, the City of Westfield and the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners.
Solar United Neighbors has supported nearly 200 solar co-ops around the country – helping more than 3,600 homes and small businesses to install solar energy systems and investing $73 million into their local economy. These co-ops are a part of the organization’s mission to create a new energy system with rooftop solar as the cornerstone.
For more information, visit solarunitedneighbors.org.