Indianapolis 2021 Solar and EV Charger Co-op

Net metering in Indiana is going away next year. Go solar in 2021 to maximize your investment.

What is net metering?

Net metering is a fair and simple way to credit solar owners for the electricity they generate. When your solar panels produce more solar energy than your home uses, your utility company provides you with a bill credit at the same rate that all consumers pay for their electricity. It’s a great way to earn money & offset the cost of solar panels.

Why is it going away?

A 2017 law called SEA 309 ends net metering programs for new solar customers after July 1, 2022. It applies to all of Indiana’s investor-owned utilities (IOUs). IOUs serve more than 80% of Indiana’s electric customers. Net metering has already ended for customers served by CenterPoint in southwest Indiana. Net metering has already ended for customers served by CenterPoint (formerly Vectren) in southwest Indiana.

If you’ve been thinking about going solar, now is the time to act!

Your solar panels need to be installed before July 2022 to enroll in your utility’s net metering program through 2032. Installing your solar panels with one of our open co-ops this year will ensure that you receive net metering. Don’t miss out on 10+ years of savings.

SUN and Solarize Indiana are here to help.

Solar United Neighbors (SUN) and Solarize Indiana are both nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping Hoosiers like you! Our local programs around the state are designed to make it easy for you to go solar.

What is a solar co-op?

Imagine walking into a solar company’s office with 50 neighbors and saying, “We all want to get solar. What kind of deal can you give us?” You save money by going solar in a group. Since 2007, we’ve helped over 200 co-ops go solar in 12 different states.

You can join the Indianapolis Solar Co-op by filling out this form. Have any questions? Send us an email at [email protected]!

The Indianapolis Solar Co-op selected Solar Energy Solutions (SES) to install solar panels for the 37-member group. In part due to the co-op selection, SES plans on adding new sales and installation staff to its local offices in Bloomington and Indianapolis.

Co-op members selected SES for their high-quality equipment offering at a competitive price and the company’s experience through a competitive bidding process facilitated by Solar United Neighbors (SUN) over four other firms. The group will hold its next public solar 101 webinar April 28 at 6 pm ET to educate the community about solar and the co-op process.

“The business generated by the co-op will help to boost the local economy as it recovers from the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Zach Schalk, Indiana program director for SUN. “Co-op members will help contribute to Indiana’s economic recovery, take control of their energy production and ensure that they receive full retail rate net metering benefits before the mechanism expires next year.”

Co-op members who install solar panels this year will ensure that they receive full retail rate net metering, which allows solar owners to receive a credit on their electric bill for the electricity they send back to the grid at the same rate that they purchase electricity from their utility—an even swap. Under current law, net metering will no longer be available to new solar owners next year.  

“I joined the solar co-op to learn more about the process for installing solar at my house, and to also get a better idea of what it would cost,” said co-op member Al Edyvean, who lives in Indianapolis. “The solar co-op has been very helpful by providing webinars and other resources to make the whole process easy.”

Edyvean served on the committee of co-op members who volunteered to review proposals and choose an installer for the groups. “The selection process was extremely helpful in better understanding the offers made by different vendors. I think we made the decision that will give all group members, including myself, the best value on a solar installation,” he said.

“Solar Energy Solutions is immensely proud to be celebrating its 15-year anniversary by being selected to serve as the 2021 Indianapolis Solar Co-op installer,” said Steve Ricketts, SES Co-owner & General Manager. “SES is on a mission to push back on climate change, build Indiana’s clean energy economy and transform our legacy energy supply infrastructure.“

There’s no cost to join the solar co-op — and no commitment to go solar. By signing up for free, you’ll get a free roof review and access to SUN’s vendor-neutral resources about how solar works and how it can work for you. SES will provide each co-op member with an individualized proposal based on the group rate. By going solar as a group and choosing a single installer, members can save on the cost of going solar with the support of fellow group members and solar experts at SUN. Co-op members can also install level 2 electric vehicle chargers and battery storage systems as part of the group.

Homeowners and small businesses living in and around Indianapolis can sign up to join the group at SolarUnitedNeighbors.org/Indianapolis. 

Interested community members may attend one of SUN’s free public webinars to learn about solar energy and how the co-op process makes it easy to go solar. The next upcoming webinars will be held on Wednesday, April 28 at 6 pm and Thursday, May 13 at 6:30 pm.

The Indianapolis Solar Co-op issued a request for proposals (RFP) from Indiana solar installers. This year Solar United Neighbors of Indiana seeks bids from installers interested in all co-ops that will launch throughout the state. The group members created the co-op to save money and make going solar easier, while building a network of solar supporters.

Bids are due Monday, February 22nd by 6:00 p.m.