Solar Co-Ops Kick Off Across Tampa Bay

TAMPA BAY, FL — Nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN) has announced the launch of two new solar co-ops to assist Hillsborough County and Pinellas County residents to go solar: the Greater Tampa Solar Co-op and Greater St. Pete Solar Co-op.

SUN is simultaneously launching the two co-ops to face-off across Tampa Bay.

Co-ops enable homeowners and business owners to join a growing community of people who are saving money by harnessing solar power.

“Together, we’re building a movement to transform our electricity system into one that is cleaner, fairer and shares its benefits more broadly,” said Julia Herbst, Gulf Coast program coordinator for Solar United Neighbors.

“A little healthy competition never hurt anyone,” Herbst added. “We’ll be watching closely to see which co-op will get the most sign-ups. And with more solar, everyone wins!”

The Greater Tampa Solar Co-op is free to join, with no obligation to purchase solar, and is open to new members until the beginning of May.

Together, co-op members will learn about solar energy and leverage their numbers to purchase top quality solar systems at a competitive price. After a competitive bidding process facilitated by SUN, a vendor neutral organization, co-op members will select a single solar company to complete the installations. Members will then have the option to individually purchase solar panels and electric vehicle chargers based on the installer’s group rate.

Partnering with this solar co-op are the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County, SELF - Solar and Energy Loan Fund, and Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.

Funding support for the co-op is provided by the Leon Lowenstein Foundation.

Going solar through a co-op is an increasingly popular way to go solar. Solar United Neighbors has hosted 63 solar co-ops in Florida since 2015.

According to the group’s estimates, the 1,800 homes and businesses that now have solar panels because of co-ops represent: 17+ megawatts (MW) of solar power, $39.2 million in local solar spending, and more than 585 million pounds of lifetime carbon equivalent offsets.

SUN will host free virtual solar information sessions at 6 p.m. on Feb. 18, March 16 and April 7. Hillsborough County residents and business owners interested in going solar can sign up for the co-op or register to attend an upcoming information session by visiting the Greater Tampa Solar Co-op web page.

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.

This press release was produced by the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County. The views expressed are the author's own.