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BELLEFONTE -- Nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN) announced the launch of the Centre County 2024 Solar and EV Charger Co-op to help Centre County residents go solar. This will be the second solar co- op to take place in Centre County, and will open the door for even more residents to go solar.
"The co-op will enable homeowners and business owners to join the growing community of Centre County residents saving money by harnessing solar power," said Monica Carey, Pennsylvania program Director for Solar United Neighbors. "We're proud to be able to partner with several amazing organizations to help folks in Centre County save money and produce their own electricity."
Standing side by side with local residents who went solar through the precious Centre County co-op, representatives from local advocacy groups and governments announced their support for the groundbreaking program that will help bring more solar panels to rooftops throughout the county.
Duane and Lisa Diefenbach, who went solar through a previous Centre County Solar Co-op, highlighted how the co-op process made going solar easier. "We had thought and talked about solar a lot. As we learned more about it, we realized it really is very doable. It was helpful to have a neutral party like SUN answer questions for us."
The co-op is free to join and open to homeowners and business owners in Centre County. Together, co-op members will learn about solar energy and leverage their numbers to purchase individual solar systems at a competitive price and top quality. 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, Level 2 electric vehicle chargers, and/or battery back-up systems based on the installer's group rate.
Partnering with SUN on the co-op are the Borough of Bellefonte, Moshannon Group of the Sierra Club, Penn State Sustainability Institute, CCL State College, Centre County and State College Borough.
"We're excited to help bring this opportunity back to Centre County," said Jasmine Fields, Sustainability Program Officer of the Borough of State College. "This co-op provides an opportunity for residents to get step-by-step guidance from an independent nonprofit throughout the solar installation process. That makes it easier for residents to access clean, locally generated power, and contribute to our greenhouse gas mitigation goals. I expect to see broad participation from our borough and beyond."
SUN has hosted 18 solar co-ops in Pennsylvania since 2018. According to the group's estimates, the 191 homes and businesses that now have solar panels because of co-ops represent: 1.7 MW of solar power, $4.9 million in local solar spending, and more than 33.6 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 co-op web page, www.solarunitedneighbors.org/co-ops/pennsylvania/centre-county-2024-solar-and-ev-charger-co-op/.
Information meetings are planned for:
-- Monday, March 25, at 6 p.m. at Schlow Centre Region Library, 211 S. Allen St.,State College, Pa.
-- Wednesday, April 10, at 6:30 p.m., Virtual (Zoom).
-- Wednesday, April 24, at 12 p.m., State College Municipal Building, 243 S. Allen St., State College, Pa.
-- Sunday, May 19, at 1 p.m., at Organic Climbing, 331 Enterprise Drive, Philipsburg, Pa.
-- Monday, July 22, at 7 p.m., Virtual (Zoom)