Hamilton County residents forming new co-op to go solar, get a discount

Solar homeowners who participated in the previous Solarize Hamilton County campaigns show their support at a solar home in Carmel. (Photo provided)

Neighbors across Hamilton County are invited to join the Hamilton County solar co-op to go solar and save money together.  A series of solar information sessions about solar energy and the co-op process begins on Thursday, August 22 at 7 p.m. at the Hamilton East Public Library in Fishers.  The full list of meetings throughout Hamilton County can be found below.  The sessions are free and open to the public.

The solar co-op is offered through Solar United Neighbors of Indiana (SUN) in partnership with local nonprofits Carmel Green Initiative and Westfield Green Together and with support from the City of Carmel, the City of Fishers, City of Noblesville, City of Westfield, Hamilton County Board of Commissioners and Solarize Indiana.

“Investing in solar power is an investment in our future and we’re happy to support solar education in Hamilton County,” said Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness. “Installing solar can help home and business owners save money on electric bills while also supporting good-paying local jobs, improving air and water quality to keep communities healthy and creating a more resilient electric grid. I hope more Fishers residents learn more about this type of alternative energy option.”

The Hamilton County co-op builds on the success of Carmel Green Initiative’s Solarize campaigns that helped more than two dozen homes in the Hamilton County area install a total of more than 1,000 solar panels in 2017and 2018.  “Our goal is to help as many Hamilton County homes and small businesses as possible enjoy the benefits of solar energy!” said Leslie Webb of Carmel Green Initiative. “We’re excited for this new partnership with SUN, and grateful to the new solar owners who are paying it forward, volunteering to help others go solar and for all the support we’ve received in Hamilton County to promote solar.”

SUN 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.

“I am excited to work with Hamilton County residents,” said Zach Schalk, SUN of Indiana Program Director. “The solar co-op process makes it easy to go solar. If you’ve ever thought about installing solar before, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.”  By going solar as a co-op, participants can save off the cost of going solar while also benefiting from the support of fellow co-op participants and solar experts at SUN.

Residents across Hamilton County interested in joining the co-op can sign up at the co-op webpage.  The co-op is free to join and joining is not a commitment to purchase. You can learn more about the co-op at the following information sessions:

Hamilton County Solar Co-op Information Sessions

  • 7 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Hamilton East Public Library – Fishers (5 Municipal Drive). Click here to RSVP.
  • 1 p.m. Aug. 24 at Westfield Washington Public Library (333 W. Hoover St.). Click here to RSVP.
  • 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at Hamilton East Public Library – Noblesville (1 Library Plaza). Click here to RSVP.
  • 7 p.m. Sept. 4 at Carmel Clay Public Library – Large Program Room (55 4th Ave. SE). Click here to RSVP.
  • 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at Fishers City Hall – Auditorium (1 Municipal Drive). Click here to RSVP.

Additional meeting dates and locations will be added. For more information, please visit SolarUnitedNeighbors.org/HamiltonCounty.

About Solar United Neighbors (SUN)

SUN has supported more than 200 solar co-ops around the country, helping nearly 4,000 homes and small businesses install solar energy systems and investing $79 million into their local economies. These co-ops are part of the organization’s mission to create a new clean and equitable energy system with rooftop solar as the cornerstone. SUN 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. Those interested in supporting the organization’s work and becoming a member can do so at solarunitedneighbors.org/membership.