Better Solar Access for Orange County Residents

There’s good news for those who own a home in Orange County - thanks to a solar power co-op, Orlando and its outlying residents can install solar panels onto their homes at a fraction of the typical cost. The idea behind the co-op is for homeowners to group together when purchasing and installing solar, allowing them to get a discount essentially for buying in bulk.

Through the efforts of local bureaucratic offices and nonprofit groups, the co-ops have helped more than 300 homeowners to make the switch to solar energy. The process is fairly simple; any resident in Orange County is eligible to participate. The co-op will obtain quotes from several local companies, and once an agreement has been made, residents will get their panels installed at a heavily discounted rate, sometimes up to 20 percent off.

While this might sound like a one size fits all scenario, the co-op allows for a variety of options based on the homeowner’s budget. Different systems can be installed based on each home’s specifications, allowing residents to begin reaping the benefits of lower electric bills. The co-op is also working to spread awareness throughout Orange County and the state of Florida regarding the importance of switching to renewable energy sources. The deadline to participate in the co-op is December 2016, and the group hopes to enroll more than 500 households before then.

If you are interested in converting to solar energy and live in Orange County, visit www.flsun.org/orange-county to find an information session in your area.