Tucson Solar Co-op

Tucson, AZ – Solar United Neighbors (SUN) announced today that its Tucson Solar Co-op has selected Technicians for Sustainability (TFS) to install solar panels for the 120-member group. Co-op members chose TFS through a competitive bidding process over four other Arizona solar providers.

“TFS is honored to be selected for the SUN program,” said Kevin Koch, chief executive officer and co-owner of TFS. “Our mission is to power our community with clean energy, and as a cooperative ourselves, we look forward to collaborating with Tucson Solar Co-op members, and bringing more solar to Tucson.”

Co-op members selected TFS because of its expertise in the industry, reputation in the Tucson community, and capacity to work with the large number of co-op member households.

“The preparation and background work presented by several committee members during the discussion helped test and ultimately supported my own solar energy plans,” said Jon Norenburg, a  co-op member and volunteer on the selection committee.

SUN expands access to solar by educating Arizona residents about the benefits of distributed solar energy, helping to organize group solar installations, strengthening solar policies and building a community of solar supporters. The organization held several public informational webinars in June and July, to educate the Tucson community about solar and the co-op process.

Local partners of the Tucson Solar Co-op include the Center for Biological Diversity, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Mrs. Green’s World, and Tucson 2030 District. Partners help to promote the co-op in the community.

“I was thrilled to learn that the co-op chose a locally-owned, employee-owned, community-building organization as its solar provider,” said Gina Murphy-Darling, founder and chief executive officer of Mrs. Green’s World. “They have an outstanding reputation in our city, and I am sure they will meet or exceed expectations.”

The co-op is open to new members until July 31. Tucson residents interested in joining the co-op can learn more and sign up at www.solarunitedneighbors.org/Tucson.

Tucson Solar Co-op releases RFP, announces info session

The 78-member Tucson Solar Co-op has issued a request for proposals (RFP) from area solar installers. The group members created the co-op to save money and make going solar easier, while building a network of solar supporters. The Center for Biological Diversity and Physicians for Social Responsibility are the co-op sponsors. The group also announced it will host an online information meeting on Tuesday, July 21 at 6 p.m. to educate the community about solar and the co-op process.

Local installers interested in serving the group are encouraged to download the RFP and response template. Residents of the Tucson metro area who are interested in joining the co-op can sign up online.

The solar co-op is free to join and joining is not a commitment to purchase panels. 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, members can save up off the cost of going solar and have the support of fellow group members and solar experts at Solar United Neighbors.

Tucson, AZ – Nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors announced the launch of the Tucson Solar Co-op, in partnership with the Center for Biological Diversity and Physicians for Social Responsibility Arizona.

The co-op aims to help Tucson homeowners and business owners to go solar. It is free to join and open to anyone in Tucson interested in learning more about solar. Together, co-op members will learn about solar energy and leverage their numbers to ensure each member receives competitive pricing and quality solar installations.

“The co-op will enable Tucson homeowners and business owners to join the growing community of people saving money by harnessing solar power,” said Bret Fanshaw, Arizona program director for Solar United Neighbors. “Together, we’re boosting the clean energy economy here in Arizona, and we’re building a movement to transform our electricity system into one that is cleaner, fairer, and shares its benefits more broadly.”

After a competitive bidding process facilitated by Solar United Neighbors, 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.

“The solar co-op is a great way to support local, clean energy that benefits people and wildlife,” said Greer Ryan, energy policy analyst for the Center for Biological Diversity. “We’re excited to help bring this project to the people of Tucson.”

“Physicians for Social Responsibility supports clean, safe, renewable energy in order to eliminate dirty fossil fuels from our communities and improve the health of our people, our environment and our planet,” said Barbara Warren, Arizona chapter director with Physicians for Social Responsibility. “Affordable solar energy on our homes and business buildings is an effective way to make this happen in our Tucson community.”

Solar United Neighbors has hosted two other solar co-ops in Arizona in 2019 and 2020. According to the group’s estimates, the 30 homes and businesses that now have solar panels because of co-ops represent: 159.4 kW of solar power, $456 thousand in local solar spending, and more than 6.3 million lbs. of lifetime carbon offsets.

Solar United Neighbors will host several informational webinars to educate community members about solar energy and the solar co-op.

• The first will take place online on Tuesday, June 16, at 6:00 p.m. 
• A second webinar will be held on Tuesday, June 23, at 6:00 p.m. 

The webinars are free and open to anyone who is curious about going solar in Tucson.

Individuals interested in going solar can learn more and sign up for the co-op free at the co-op web page.