Have you ever thought about installing solar panels on your home or small business — or getting a charger for your electric vehicle? If so — or if you know someone who has — you'll want to know about the Columbus Area Solar and Electric Vehicle Charger Co-op.
The co-op brings you and your neighbors together to learn more about going solar and go solar together. We'll use bulk purchasing power to get the best quality and competitive pricing on rooftop solar panels and electric vehicle chargers.
Ready for 100 Columbus is working with Solar United Neighbors to organize 50 to 100 people in Central Ohio into a group, or co-op, and give you support through each stage of the process.
Co-op participants leverage bulk-purchasing power to get discounted pricing and a quality installation while still signing individual contracts that ensure the right system for your home or business.
If you are thinking about going solar, now is a great time while there’s still a federal tax break of 26%. Between bulk pricing and tax breaks, solar panels for your home and business are more affordable than ever.
Here's how it works:
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Learn about the solar co-op here, or join us at a free information session. If the co-op is right for you, sign up online!
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Co-op volunteers will choose a solar installer through an open and competitive bidding process. You can be part of the selection committee if you like.
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Each co-op member will get a personalized proposal for rooftop solar panels and/or an electric vehicle charger.
If you'd like to hear more about the co-op before joining, consider attending one of our upcoming information sessions. They're free and open to anyone interested in going solar in Franklin County. There's one tomorrow night!
Tuesday, February 11, at 6 p.m.
Land-Grant Brewing Company
424 W. Town St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Click here to RSVP
Wednesday, February 19 at 6:00 pm
Dublin Library Branch, Columbus Metropolitan Library
75 North High St
Dublin, OH 43017
Click here to RSVP
Solar coops enable customers to have solar panels installed on their homes and businesses at a reduced price. This is how San Francisco – the first city in the country to commit to 100% renewable energy back in 2011 – spread solar throughout its city rooftops. The concept is simple – pool together a lot of customers to leverage a better price on solar equipment. It’s a win-win for everyone. Solar installers get a lot of customers without having to advertise to find them, and customers save money with clean energy.
There are other ways solar customers can save as well. If you install solar on your home this year, you can get a 26% federal tax break. And if you live in Columbus, you will soon be able to finance the project through the city’s residential PACE program being rolled out this year.
PACE stands for Property Assessed Clean Energy, and it’s a way to finance renewable energy and energy efficiency upgrades to buildings through the property taxes. It’s more economical than paying back a bank loan, and if you sell the property, the loan goes with it instead of following you. PACE is usually used for large office buildings – the PNC bank building downtown used it – but Columbus is rolling out the program for city residents.
Ready for 100 Columbus is co-sponsoring the Columbus Area Solar and Electric Vehicle Charger Co-op because we want more people to be able to take advantage of good pricing to go solar in their homes and install electric vehicle charging stations.
Cities are responsible for 70% of carbon emissions, and Columbus is the 14th largest city in the country, so what we do matters. Let’s start lowering our carbon emissions right here at home!