Solar Energy Info Session Coming To Westlake

WESTLAKE, OH — An upcoming information session will discuss forming solar co-ops and how solar energy can save Westlake residents money on their energy bills. The meeting will be held October 2.

The information session is free to attend and open to all. The meeting will be held October 2, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Cuyahoga Community College Westshore, on Clemens Road in Westlake. An additional information session will be held October 24, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Bay Village Public Library.

“We are proud to have educated more than a thousand people about the benefits of solar through these co-op sessions and helped many of them go solar,” said Cuyahoga County Director of Sustainability Mike Foley. “Now, with great partners like Solar United Neighbors and Cleveland State, we are able to help even more people save money and navigate what otherwise can be a pretty complicated process.”

The Solar United Neighbors program helps organize group solar installations and educates residents on Ohio's solar policies. The organization has worked with 20 co-ops in Ohio and has helped roughly 300 Ohio homes go solar. The group estimates it has saved Ohio residents more than $5 million on electricity costs over a 25-year span.

Co-op participants will pick one company to do all of the solar panel installations. The participants will then have the option to choose individual panel purchases based on the installer's group rate. This can reduce the cost of going solar.

“I’m excited to help my neighbors go solar,” said Solar United Neighbors of Ohio Program Director and Lakewood resident, Tristan Rader. “The solar co-op helps members learn about solar technology and if going solar is right for them. If you’ve ever thought about solar, or just want to learn, this is a great opportunity to do so.