From staff reports
The deadline of Nov. 30 to join the new Scenic Rivers Solar Co-op is fast-approaching. Solar United Neighbors, a nonprofit organization working nationwide to help homeowners and businesses go solar, is organizing the local effort.
The co-op is free to join and open to homeowners and business owners in Clarion, Venango, Armstrong, Jefferson, and Forest Counties. Together, co-op members will learn about solar energy and leverage bulk purchasing to ensure competitive pricing and quality solar installations.
“Together, we’re building a movement to transform our electricity system into one that is cleaner, fairer, and shares its benefits more broadly.”
Solar United Neighbors has hosted 10 solar co-ops in Pennsylvania since 2010. According to the group’s estimates, the 66 homes and businesses in Pennsylvania that have participated in co-ops represent: 610 kilowatt of solar power, $1.6 million in local solar spending, and more than 16.6 million pounds of lifetime carbon offsets.
Partnering on the co-op is the League of Women Voters of Clarion County.
How does the solar co-op process work? After a competitive bidding process facilitated by Solar United Neighbors, 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.
To learn more, individuals interested in going solar can sign up for the co-op or watch Solar United Neighborhood’s information session at coops.solarunitedneighbors.org/coops/scenic-rivers-co-op/.