Mon/Yough Solar Co-Op offers local property owners guidance and savings on going solar
Frances Borsodi Zajac | 缅北禁地/
Henry McKay, Solar United Neighbors program director for Pennsylvania, speaks about solar energy and the Mon/Yough Solar Co-op at a recent informational meeting at Uniontown Public Library.
Frances Borsodi Zajac | 缅北禁地
Henry McKay, Solar United Neighbors program director for Pennsylvania, speaks about solar energy and the Mon/Yough Solar Co-op at a recent informational meeting at Uniontown Public Library.
Solar United Neighbors is spreading the word about the Mon/Yough Solar Co-op, inviting property owners in Fayette, Greene and Washington Counties to join for savings and guidance on going solar.
Henry McKay, Pennsylvania program director, acknowledged making a change to solar is a big investment, noting, 鈥淵ou鈥檙e spending money up front and seeing savings over time.鈥�
A聽 national, non-profit, Solar United Neighbors started as a grassroots movement in 2007 in Washington, D.C. It has since been working in 12 other states.
鈥淲e鈥檝e done close to 200 of these solar co-ops, 鈥� well over 3,000 people we鈥檝e helped with this process, so at this point it鈥檚 a well-oiled machine. We consistently see good results, people have had good experiences,鈥� said McKay, who recently held public meetings at Uniontown Public Library and Eva K. Bowlby Public Library in Waynesburg.
鈥淥ur mission is to help people go solar, join together and fight for their energy rights,鈥� explained McKay, later adding, 鈥淥ur big mission is to build an engaged, informed, effective solar movement of people who understand solar technology, relevant policies and regulations around it, who are maybe solar powered themselves and have the tools and resources to help make it easier for other people to go solar and protect critical solar-related policies.鈥�
McKay said Solar United Neighbors is unbiased and will not pressure people into a sale.
鈥淚f this isn鈥檛 the right process for you, or, if now, you can鈥檛 go solar, or you want to do your own thing at your own speed, we do have individual memberships,鈥� said McKay, noting the nonprofit can also offer guidance to individuals.
Individuals pay a membership fee but co-op members have free membership in Solar United Neighbors for a year.
Going solar takes six to eight months with the co-op saving money by working with a single installer.
鈥淭his is a group process but everyone is getting their own individual solar system on their home or business that they pay for, that they get direct benefits on,鈥� McKay explained.
Mon/Yough is for local property owners who want to go solar in the next few months.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 make you commit to going solar when you join the co-op but we do ask you鈥檙e pretty sure,鈥� said McKay.
The larger the group, the better it looks to potential installers. Once the co-op has about 30 members, the co-op sends out a request for proposals. Solar United Neighbors will make sure the installer is properly licensed and insured, talk to past customers and share experiences.
The non-profit remains neutral with the co-op鈥檚 selection committee choosing the installer. The committee is made of co-op volunteers who meet once to review bids and pick an installer based on member preferences.
The installer will contact members to develop individual proposals based on how much solar each wants and factors such as space and budget. They will give projections on how much it will save over time. Property owners can then decide whether to sign a contract.
Installation takes a couple days, but McKay explained the process also requires permitting from local government and interconnection by a local utility.
McKay also provided information on technology, installation, costs and projected savings. Information is also available at www.solarunitedneighbors.org.
A Greene County Solar Festival is also being planned for Sept. 28 at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Waynesburg.