West Cleveland News

Solar United Neighbors (SUN), in collaboration with Cuyahoga County and the City of Cleveland, has introduced the Cuyahoga County solar co-op, offering residents and businesses the chance to collectively explore affordable solar solutions in a bid to combat rising energy costs and leverage new incentives. This initiative aims to democratize solar energy access for all members of the community.

This collaborative effort has garnered considerable support from local officials. In the press release, Cuyahoga County Director of Sustainability, Mike Foley, expressed pride in supporting the initiative, emphasizing the cost-saving benefits for residents and small business owners.

Mike Foley also underscored the efficacy of these solar co-ops by referencing their past successes. "Cuyahoga County is proud to support this initiative, making it easier for residents and small business owners to save money," said Foley. He went on to say, "This marks the ninth solar co-op we’ve worked on with SUN. The hundreds of solar-powered families prove it’s a great way to go solar."

The optimistic stance was echoed by others involved in the project. The release also says, SUN Ohio Program Director, Tristan Rader said, "There’s never been a better time to go solar."

Apart from fostering a sustainable environment, this initiative ensures fair treatment of its members during negotiations with vendors. Additionally, the release said that co-op members will choose a single solar company for installations after a competitive bidding process. There's no obligation to make a purchase providing flexibility based on group rate decisions.