Residents Are Encouraged to Come Learn How to Save Money and Energy

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH — The Cuyahoga County Department of Sustainability is hosting three informational meetings in April for residents interested in solar power for homes and businesses. Funding for this year’s program was secured at Monday’s Board of Control meeting.

The Cuyahoga County Solar Co-Op meeting dates and times are below:

• Tuesday, April 23 6-8 p.m.—Brookpark Community Center’s Community Room, 17400 Holland Road
•  Wednesday, April 24 6-8 p.m.—Great Lakes Tasting Room, 2701 Carroll Avenue, Cleveland
• Thursday, April 25 6-8 p.m.—Cuyahoga County Public Library Mayfield Branch, 500 SOM Center Road

In partnership with the non-profit Solar United Neighbors, the Department of Sustainability will discuss the 30 percent Federal Solar Tax Credit, how to find out if your home is right for solar, and how to use Cuyahoga County’s low-interest HELP Loan Program to purchase a solar system. Meetings will also discuss how to solve technical issues, information on typical industry warranties and the cost savings involved in forming a buyer’s co-op to solicit bids from installers.

Solar United Neighbors of Ohio has worked with nearly a dozen solar co-ops, helping roughly 170 Ohio homes go solar, saving Ohio residents more than $5 million on electricity costs over a 25-year span.

“The use of solar power is such a vital way to help improve the environment as we struggle with the effects of climate change,” said County Executive Armond Budish. “This program allows residents and business owners to support growing renewable energy production in Northeast Ohio while saving money at the same time.”

Once the co-op reaches a membership of 100, bids will be solicited from dozens of installers. Members will choose democratically from among various installers. Co-op members save money by making a large-scale purchase and taking advantage of other member’s expertise. Each co-op member gets an individualized proposal that reflects the group discount.

The first successful round of solar installations was completed in 2017.

“We are excited to launch our third round of the solar co-op,” said Director of Sustainability, Mike Foley. “In the last two years of the co-op, we’ve helped educate hundreds of residents on the benefits of solar technology and how they can go solar in their own homes. The 80 households that have gone solar through the co-op in past rounds saved around 20 percent on the total cost of their installations. We expect residents in this year’s co-op will see similar savings, about $25,000 per household over 25 years. Going solar is something homeowners can do to both reduce their electricity costs and help mitigate climate change.”

For more information on the impact of the solar co-op program, watch this video.