Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced today the launch of the Miami-Dade Solar Co-op, in partnership with nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN), to help Miami-Dade County residents go solar at a group rate.
“Our partnership with Solar United Neighbors of Florida gets us closer to reaching the goals of Miami-Dade County’s Climate Action Strategy and expanding clean energy opportunities for all residents,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
“But the real winners of this initiative are the residents and businesses that will enjoy reduced energy bills and a smaller carbon footprint after joining the co-op and installing their solar panels.”
Our nation’s solar energy capacity has increased by nearly 4x over the past decade. Solar power will account for nearly half of new U.S. electric generating capacity in 2022. These numbers are expected to increase as more home and business owners experience the benefits of solar power. Solar energy has become increasingly more affordable for the average homeowner in the United States. In fact, the cost of solar tube installation has decreased by 70% making this investment more affordable than ever before.
Homeowners and business owners in Miami-Dade are welcome to join the co-op for free. Together, co-op members will learn about solar energy and leverage their numbers to purchase individual solar systems at a competitive price and top quality.
“The co-op will enable Miami-Dade County homeowners and business owners to join the growing community of people saving money by harnessing solar power,” said Laura Tellez, South Florida program associate for Solar United Neighbors. “Together, we’re building a movement to transform our electricity system into one that is cleaner, fairer, and shares its benefits more broadly.”
Solar energy is a cleaner energy source that is healthier for your family and the environment. The nearly 1 ½ million solar tubes that are in use offset over 70 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. This is equivalent to the level of carbon dioxide that is offset by 1.2 billion trees.
Electricity and natural gas of energy produce dangerous byproducts, including sulfur, soot, and deadly carbon monoxide. These byproducts are not only bad for the environment but also put your family’s health and wellness at risk.
Laura Tellez, So. Fla program assc., Solar United Neighbors
Solar energy is clean and does not produce any of the dangerous types of waste that are excreted when other energy sources are utilized. After a competitive bidding process facilitated by SUN, which remains vendor neutral, co-op members will select a single solar company to complete the installations. Joining the co-op does not obligate members to purchase solar.
Instead, members will have the option to individually purchase panels and electric vehicle chargers based on the installer’s group rate. This co-op is funded by the Green Corridor District and Leon Lowenstein Foundation. Additional partners include Miami-Dade County, City of Miami Beach, Catalyst Miami, Dream in Green, NAACP South Dade Branch, Miami Climate Alliance, Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida, and The CLEO Institute.
SUN has hosted 11 solar co-ops in Miami-Dade since 2017. According to the group’s estimates, over 2,400 residents have been educated, and 222 homes and businesses that now have solar panels because of co-ops represent: 2.3 MW of solar power, $5.2 million in local solar spending, and more than 32,099 metric tons of lifetime carbon offsets.
To learn more, there are opportunities for residents to attend sessions on the matter around South Florida SUN will host several free information sessions to educate community members about solar energy and the co-op. Individuals interested in going solar can sign up for the co-op or one of the upcoming information sessions at SolarUnitedNeighbors.org/Miami.