New solar co-op hosting final interest meeting ahead of deadline to join group

Residents around Richmond have formed a new solar co-op to encourage more folks to go solar, and at a discount. Spurred by solar advocacy nonprofit VA SUN, the Greater Richmond Solar Co-op aims to help residents save money and make going solar easier, while building a network of solar supporters.

The group is seeking new members and will host an information session for those interested in learning more about going solar. The free event will be held at the Three Notch’d Brewing Co. RVA Collab House at 2930 W. Broad Street in Scott’s Addition from 5:30 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, July 20th.

The organization’s mission is to expand access to solar by educating Virginians about the benefits of distributed solar energy, helping them organize group solar installations, and strengthening Virginia’s solar policies, as well as its community of solar supporters. The group has helped hundreds of residents in several states go solar so far.

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, participants can save almost 20% over traditional purchase and installation rates, the organization says. The deadline to join the Richmond group is July 31st.

The organization says almost 50 residents have signed up for the newly-formed Richmond co-op so far.

Those interested in learning more can sign up online. Joining the co-op is not a commitment to purchase panels. Once the group is large enough, VA SUN will help the co-op solicit competitive bids from area solar installers.

Learn more about the event here.