Fort Bend County Commissioner Dexter L. McCoy and local nonprofit Solar United Neighbors (SUN just announced the newly created Richmond Solar Co-op serving residents of central Fort Bend County. Commissioner McCoy is proud to be a champion of clean energy initiatives.
“I am committed to combating the climate crisis and believe that the Richmond Solar Co-op will help expand clean energy in Fort Bend County. The electricity rates in Texas are among the highest in the US, and solar panels can reduce monthly costs,” said Fort Bend County Commissioner, Precinct 4 Dexter L. McCoy. “I am willing to do my part to help make energy more sustainable for our families and businesses while lowering carbon emissions and ensuring reliability and affordability.”
The co-op is free to join and open to homeowners and business owners in the central Fort Bend area. Together, co-op members will learn about solar energy and leverage their numbers to purchase top quality individual solar systems at a competitive price.
“Together, we’re building a movement to transform our electricity system into one that is cleaner, fairer, and shares its benefits more broadly,” said Dori Wolfe, Houston area program coordinator for Solar United Neighbors.
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 and electric vehicle chargers based on the installer’s group rate.
Partnering on the co-op are Houston Renewable Energy Group, Texas Interfaith Power & Light, Houston Electric Vehicle Association, Sierra Club Houston, and Citizens’ Climate Lobby Houston.
As the President of Houston Electric Vehicle Association Dave Hanson says, “What could be better than driving on sunshine!”
“If you would like to have a cleaner electricity grid and help reduce carbon emissions to address climate change, one of the best steps you can take is to install rooftop solar,” said Frank Blake of the Sierra Club Houston chapter.
“All faiths emphasize a human responsibility to care for the earth we all share. Using renewable energy, like solar panels, is one way we can care for our common home,” offered Lisa Brenskelle, team lead for the local chapter of Texas Interfaith Power & Light.
SUN has hosted 16 solar co-ops in Texas since 2018. According to the group’s estimates, the 257 homes and businesses that now have solar panels because of co-ops represent: 2,340 thousand kW of solar power, $7.4 million in local solar spending, and more than 67.3 million lbs. of lifetime carbon offsets.
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 the Richmond Solar Co-op webpage.
Information meetings are planned for:
Saturday, April 29, 3:00 pm (RSVP HERE)
George Memorial Library, Room 2C
1001 Golfview Dr, Richmond, TX 77469
Wednesday May 3, 5:30 pm (RSVP HERE)
Webinar – online