D.C.-Area Co-Op Seeks To Make Solar Energy More Wallet-Friendly

VIRGINIA/DC — Solar United Neighbors has launched the Capital Area Solar Co-op to help residents in the Washington, D.C., area switch to solar energy to power their homes and businesses.

The co-op is free to join and open to homeowners and business owners in Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Montgomery, Prince George’s and Frederick counties in Maryland.

Together, co-op members will be able to use their numbers to purchase individual solar systems at a competitive price, according to Solar United Neighbors.

After a competitive bidding process facilitated by Solar United Neighbors, co-op members will select a single solar company in each region — Northern Virginia, D.C. and suburban Maryland — to complete the installations.

Joining the co-op does not obligate members to purchase solar. Members will have the option to individually purchase panels, electric vehicle chargers, and electric storage based on the installer’s group rate.

Solar United Neighbors is partnering with groups across the region to promote the co-ops, including Arlington County, the city of Falls Church, and the D.C. Department of Energy and Environment.

“We’re proud to be at the forefront of the nationwide movement to transform our electricity system into one that is cleaner,” Helen Reinecke-Wilt, a sustainability planner with Arlington County, said Tuesday in a statement. “Going solar helps Arlington meet its carbon neutral goals.”

Solar United Neighbors and its co-op partners will host several free information sessions to educate community members about solar energy and the co-op. People interested in purchasing solar energy for their homes or business can attend an upcoming information session by signing up at the co-op web page.

Several information meetings are planned by Zoom webinar and hosted by Arlington County:

• Friday, April 9 at noon
• Wednesday, May 5 at 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, June 4 at noon
• Wednesday, July 28 at 6:30 p.m