FREDERICK, MD – Frederick County residents and businesses have an opportunity to join a solar co-operative program that will allow members to reduce their carbon footprints and save money at the same time. A solar co-op is an organized community of residents, small business owners and/or nonprofits who buy solar in bulk to save on total costs of installation fees.
The Office of Sustainability and Environmental Resources (OSER) is bringing a joint co-op to Frederick and surrounding areas through a collaboration with Solar United Neighbors of Maryland (MD-SUN). The MD-Sun co-op allows members to get discounts on solar installation costs. Solar United Neighbors also offers support from the start of the program to the end of the installation process, including the issuance of competitively bid contracts to solar installers.
The Frederick County program is one of many OSER initiatives that strive to promote the usage of renewable energy resources, which in turn minimize greenhouse gas emissions within the county. This is the second time OSER has partnered with MD-SUN. In 2017, a solar co-op resulted in over 30 solar installations in Frederick County, with a combined solar capacity of 285 kW. Co-op participants are able to purchase solar installations or solar power at a wholesale rate.
Information about the current program will be provided at three informational sessions:
- October 2, 7 pm at Urbana Regional Library
- October 23, 7 pm at Winchester Hall, 1st Floor Meeting Room
- November 20, 7 pm at Thurmont Regional Library
For more details about the program and how to join the Frederick County Solar co-op visit www.SolarUnitedNeighbors.org/fhm. Questions can be directed to OSER’s Chesapeake Conservation Corps Member, Tyrah Cobb-Davis, at 301-600-1416 or TCobb-Davis@FrederickCountyMD.gov.