Nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN) announced today the launch of the Spring Branch Solar Co-op to help homeowners and businesses go solar. The group will host several online webinars about solar energy and the co-op.
These webinars are free and open to the public, as is the solar co-op. The first webinar will be Tuesday, November 17, at 5:00 p.m. It’s free and open to the public. Individuals who are interested in learning more should RSVP online.
The Spring Branch Solar Co-op is open to homeowners and business owners in Northwest Houston, including Piney Point, Hedwig Village, Jersey Village, Greater Inwood, and beyond. Together, co-op members will learn from SUN about solar energy. Then, the group will leverage bulk purchasing to ensure competitive pricing and quality solar installations.
“We know that interest in rooftop solar in growing due to the demand for our solar co-ops in Houston,” said Hanna Mitchell, Texas program director for SUN. “People are reaching out to us to start co-ops in their neighborhoods to lock in their long-term energy costs and increase their self-sufficiency.”
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. Joining the co-op does not obligate members to purchase solar. Instead, members will have the option to individually purchase panels, electric vehicle chargers, and batteries based on the installer’s group rate.
“I wanted to help start a solar co-op in my neighborhood to save money on electricity, take control of our electrical expense, and reduce our carbon footprint. It’s a win-win-win that I know our neighborhood and others can get behind,” explained Kent Marsh, Spring Branch resident and supporter of the co-op.
Partnering on the co-op are Houston Renewable Energy Group, Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston, and Citizens’ Climate Lobby Houston Central.
“We must work together to accelerate Houston’s energy transition, and we hope this co-op will inspire even more people to learn about and invest in solar. We are eager to help educate and support this great community initiative,” said Juliane Surfus with the Houston Renewable Energy Group.
Since December 2018, SUN has facilitated eight other solar co-ops in Texas, five of which have been in the Houston area. The co-ops educated nearly 800 residents about solar energy and resulted in more than $1 million invested in the local economy. The Spring Branch co-op follows the launch of the East and West Houston co-ops earlier this year.
Visit the Spring Branch Solar Co-op web page to learn more: https://www.solarunitedneighbors.org/springbranch
To claim your spot at the free webinar Tuesday, November 17, at 5:00 p.m., visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_brmolS1vRI2p20SjNp-UQg
If you cannot attend Tuesday, join us for a solar celebration on Sunday, December 6 at 2:00 pm. RSVP at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtdeypqzkrG9HclWsSaeJf0b5x9lBV9Dkt