Westmoreland County Solar Co-op

Westmoreland, Pa. – Neighbors in Westmoreland County have formed a solar co-op to save money and make going solar easier, with the help of nonprofit Solar United Neighbors, as well as Promote PT, Sierra Club Ready For 100 and Voice of Westmoreland. The group is seeking members and will host an information meeting at 6:30 p.m. on December 3, 2019, at the Murrysville Community Center, to educate the community about solar and the co-op process.

“The Westmoreland County solar co-op will enable more homeowners and business owners join the growing community of Pennsylvanians saving money by harnessing solar power,” said Henry McKay, Solar United Neighbors of Pa. Program Director. “Together, we’re building a movement to transform our electricity system into one that is cleaner, fairer, and that shares its benefits more broadly.”

Solar United Neighbors expands access to solar by educating Pennsylvania residents about the benefits of distributed solar energy, helping them organize group solar installations and strengthening Pa. solar policies and its community of solar supporters.

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.

“I am excited to work with Westmoreland County residents to educate them about the benefits of solar energy,” said McKay. “If you’ve ever thought about going solar before, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.”

Westmoreland County homeowners interested in joining the co-op can sign up at the co-op web page. The solar co-op is free to join and joining is not a commitment to purchase panels. Once the group is large enough, Solar United Neighbors will help the co-op solicit competitive bids from area solar installers.

Solar United Neighbors supports solar co-ops across the country. These co-ops are a part of the organization’s mission to create a new energy system with rooftop solar as the cornerstone. Solar United Neighbors holds events and education programs to help people become informed solar consumers, maximize the value of their solar investment and advocate for fair solar policies. Those interested in supporting the o

The Westmoreland County Solar Co-op has released a request for proposals from area installers to serve the 20-member group. The group will continue to grow before the sign-up deadline, currently set at March 31. Neighbors in the area formed the group to make it easy to save on solar.

Westmoreland County residents interested in joining the co-op can sign up at the co-op webpage. Joining the co-op 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, each participant generally saves up to 20% off the cost of their system.

The group’s RFP can be downloaded here.

The response template can be downloaded here.

Bids are due Monday, February 17 at 5:00 p.m.

Westmoreland County Solar Co-op selects Groundhog Solar to serve group

The Westmoreland County Solar Co-op has selected Groundhog Solar to install solar panels for the 27-member group. Co-op members selected Groundhog Solar through a competitive bidding process.

The group will hold more public information sessions to educate the community about solar and the co-op process. Dates and locations can be found on the Events tab of the co-op web page.

Solar United Neighbors issued a request for proposals to local installers in January. A committee of co-op members met on February 26, to review bids and select a solar installer on behalf of the full group. The committee decided on Groundhog Solar after reviewing information about pricing, quality, and service.

Groundhog Solar 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 off the cost of going solar and have the support of fellow group members and solar experts at Solar United Neighbors.

The co-op is open to new members until April 20. Westmoreland County residents interested in joining the co-op can sign up here. The solar co-op is free to join and joining is not a commitment to purchase panels.