Nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN) has announced the launch of the Sarasota 2020 Solar Co-op to help the region’s residents go solar. Partnering on the co-op are Sarasota County, City of Sarasota, League of Women Voters Sarasota County, Sierra Club Manatee Sarasota Group, Suncoast Climate Justice Coalition, Peace In Action Center, Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, and WSLR Sarasota Community Radio.

This is SUN’s third solar co-op in Sarasota County. The co-op is free to join and open to homeowners and business owners in Sarasota County. Co-op members will learn about solar energy and leverage bulk purchasing to ensure competitive pricing and quality solar installations; after a competitive bidding process facilitated by SUN, 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.

Solar United Neighbors 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 here.