Residents and businesses in Broward County hoping to implement energy-saving techniques into their properties recently received an easier path. The Solar United Neighbors (SUN) recently debuted the Broward County Solar, Storage and EV 2021 Co-op as a way to help people in the county utilize solar to reduce energy costs.

By learning about solar energy and how to harness it, the program brings interested buyers together to leverage their numbers to purchase quality solar systems at competitive pricing.

“The co-op will enable Broward County homeowners and business owners to join the growing community of people saving money by harnessing solar power,” says Laura Tellez, Florida Program Coordinator for SUN, a nonprofit organization that works to represent the needs and interests of solar owners and supporters. “Together, we’re building a movement to transform our electricity system into one that is cleaner, fairer and shares its benefits more broadly.”

Those who join the co-op are not required to purchase solar systems. Instead, SUN facilitates the neutral bidding process and the members then select a single solar company for the installation. Members have the opportunity to purchase panels and electric vehicle chargers based on the company’s group rate.

“The SUN co-op provides residents an opportunity to collectively bargain for the most competitive prices as part of group solar purchase and installation,” says Jennifer Jurado, Broward County’s Chief Resilience Officer and Director of the Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division. “Residents receive independent technical guidance throughout the process, truly a valuable service for those eager to engage in solar solutions but new to the technology and not sure where or how to start.”

Nearly 120 households in Broward have participated in the SUN’s program since 2017. To help explain how the co-op operates, SUN will host free information sessions at 6 p.m. on Aug. 17 and Sept. 22.

For more information, visit SolarUnitedNeighbors.org/Broward