Solar co-op launches for Miami-Dade County residents to go solar together

Today, nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN) announced the opening of the Miami-Dade 2024 Solar Co-op to help residents, businesses, and non-profits in the area go solar. 
 
“If you’ve ever thought about going solar, now’s your chance,” said Laura Tellez, Associate Florida Program Director for Solar United Neighbors. “The Co-op will enable Miami-Dade County homeowners, nonprofits and small businesses to join the growing community of people saving money by harnessing local solar power. Placing consumer protection at the forefront, we help those looking to go solar navigate the process with their best interest and needs being prioritized.”

“Ensuring Miami-Dade County residents have access to affordable solar energy is an essential step toward building a more sustainable and resilient community. Our partnership with Solar United Neighbors of Florida gets us closer to reaching the goals of the County’s Climate Action Strategy to make our community healthier by cutting greenhouse gas pollution 50 percent by 2030 and then achieving net zero by 2050,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.   “While we are making significant progress in leading by example by installing solar at County facilities, the real winners of this initiative are the residents and businesses that will enjoy reduced energy bills after joining the Co-op and installing solar panels.”

"Going solar is a great way for our residents to not only save money on their utility bills, but to increase the resilience of their homes.” said Miami-Dade County Director of Energy and Interim Chief Resilience Officer Dr. Patricia Gómez. “By having homeowners and smaller commercial properties invest in solar energy through group purchasing solar cooperatives, we are reducing climate pollution, and simultaneously creating economic opportunities for solar installers in our own backyards. "
 
The Co-ops are free to join and open to homeowners and business owners from Miami-Dade County. Joining the Co-op does not obligate members to purchase solar panels. Together, Co-op members learn about solar energy.   After a competitive bidding process facilitated by SUN, which remains vendor neutral, Co-op members will select a single solar company to complete the installations. Members then have the option to individually purchase top quality solar systems based on the installer’s discounted group rate.
 
Partnering with the Miami-Dade County Solar Co-op are Miami-Dade County, the Leon Lowenstein Foundation, Catalyst Miami, Dream in Green, City of Miami Beach, The CLEO Institute, NAACP South Dade Branch, Miami Climate Alliance, and North Bay Village.        

“Catalyst Miami is thrilled to be partnering with SUN to provide a cost effective and clean energy alternative to our residents and businesses,” said Zelalem Adefris,  Executive Director for Catalyst Miami. “The Solar Co-op provides resources, tools, and educational opportunities which helps remove barriers when thinking about going solar.”

“SUN was right there with us to answer questions and provide advice,” said Pam Brown-Eyo, member of the Miami-Dade 2022 Solar Co-op and NAACP South Dade Branch Environmental and Climate Justice Chairperson. “Solar United Neighbors made the process easy with their informative webinars. Opportunities like this allow Miami-Dade County residents access to solar energy and lower electric bills, which is something we need.”
 
SUN will host several free information sessions to educate community members about solar energy and the Co-op. Individuals interested in going solar can sign up for the Co-op or one of the upcoming information sessions at solarunitedneighbors.org/miami/events.
 
Information meetings are planned for the following dates:

Florida Solar 101 
Thursday, November 21 
6:00 p.m. EST
West Kendall Library
Register here

Florida Solar 101 
Tuesday, December 10
6:00 p.m. EST
Virtual
Register here

Florida Solar 101 
Wednesday, January 15
6:00 p.m. EST
South Dade Regional Library
Register here

Energía Solar 101 en Florida
Martes 11 de febrero 
6:00 p.m. EST
Virtual 
Registración aquí  

About Solar United Neighbors
Solar United Neighbors is a nonprofit organization that works in Florida and nationwide to represent the needs and interests of solar owners and supporters. Solar Co-ops are part of the organization’s mission to create a new energy system with rooftop solar at the cornerstone. Solar United Neighbors 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.
 
 
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