​Bowie Residents Form Solar Co-Op, Save Money And Make Going Solar Easier

From MD Sun: Neighbors in Bowie have formed a solar co-op to save money and make going solar easier, while building a network of solar supporters. The City of Bowie is hosting public information events and helping the non-profit MD SUN organize the co-op, and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments is providing funding to help launch the group. The group is seeking members and will hold an information meeting January 28th at 10 a.m., Bowie City Hall, 15901 Excalibur Road, Bowie, MD 20716 to educate the community about solar and the co-op process.

“We’re forming this co-op to make saving money with solar energy as simple as possible,” said Kristin Larson, Sustainability Planner for the City of Bowie. “Working with the group helps members learn about the technology so they feel confident in their decision to go solar.”

MD SUN expands access to solar by educating Marylanders about the benefits of distributed solar energy, helping them organize group solar installations, and strengthening Maryland’s solar policies, as well as its community of solar supporters. The group has helped hundreds of Marylanders go solar.

“After a successful first round of solar in Bowie in 2015, I am excited to work with more residents to educate them about the benefits of solar energy,” said Corey Ramsden, MD SUN Program Director. “If you’ve ever thought about going solar before, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.”

Bowie residents interested in joining the co-op can sign up at the co-op website: mdsun.org/bowie. Joining the co-op is not a commitment to purchase panels. Once the group is large enough, MD SUN will help the co-op solicit competitive bids from area solar installers.

Co-op members will select a single company to complete all of the installations. They will then have the option to purchase panels individually based on the installer’s group rate. By going solar as a group and choosing a single installer, each participant generally saves up to 20% off the cost of their system.

Photo via Pixabay