Keys residents ready to go solar with help from local nonprofit Going solar provides energy savings, assurance in storms

The Keys, FL – Thirty residents of the Keys are working with nonprofit Solar United Neighbors (SUN) to learn about solar energy, as members of the Florida Keys Solar Co-op.

The group, which opened at the end of August, is already at 30% capacity and is actively recruiting additional members through November. Group members receive vendor-neutral information about installing solar panels on their roofs. Then, SUN requests proposals from local installers at a discounted group rate for co-op members. This is SUN’s last planned solar co-op in the area before the federal solar tax credit runs out.

The solar co-op is free and open to the public. This is SUN’s second solar co-op in the Keys. Partners include the CLEO Institute, the City of Layton, Lime Tree Bay Resort, and SELF.

“Now is a great time to go solar,” said Tellez. “We look forward to helping as many people as possible install solar in time to benefit from the tax credit.”

Since the group opened, SUN has provided several free webinars to interested homeowners and business owners in the Keys. “A big part of our mission is to help people go solar,” said Laura Tellez, South Florida program coordinator at SUN. “A critical component of that is to inform residents about solar—the technology, the incentives and financing, and the benefits to them and the community.”

In addition to free webinars, SUN provides free roof reviews and in-depth information about solar in Florida. The organization has hosted 60 other solar co-ops in Florida since 2015, helping more than 1,700 people navigate the process and install solar on their homes and businesses.

The staff at SUN fields a variety of questions, but a couple have proven to be most common: “How do solar panels hold up in storms?” and “What tax incentives are available for solar?”

On the question of tax incentives, solar systems installed in 2021 will be eligible for the 22% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC). In 2022, the credit goes away for residential installations, though SUN is working to push for an extension as part of an economic stimulus bill.

Of solar and storms, Tellez said, “Solar panels can handle even severe weather events and, if the homeowner has battery storage too, solar can keep critical appliances up and running.”

Solar systems installed in the Keys must be designed to withstand hurricane-force winds. The Florida Solar Energy Center reviews and approves all system components before a solar company can install a system. This ensures systems remain intact and attached during storms.

While Hurricane Michael caused extensive damage across the Florida panhandle in 2018, solar systems remained intact. This included installations resulting from SUN’s solar co-ops in Bay and Franklin counties.

The house of former solar co-op member Elisabeth Murray was in the path of heavy wind and rain from Hurricane Irma in 2017. “During the storm, I was worried if the panels would hold up,” Murray said. “The panels held up fine. As soon as we got power back, I checked on the app [that monitors her solar production]. We were producing again and everything was normal.”

Kathryn Smith’s battery storage kept her necessary items powered during a grid outage caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017. Smith installed solar with a previous solar co-op hosted by SUN. She said, “I was able to keep my refrigerator running during the day and lost very little food despite being without [grid] power for four days. I was also able to run fans to bring the cool morning air into the house, which kept the house reasonably comfortable and less humid.”

“Working through a co-op is a great way to go solar,” said Tellez. “With the co-op’s help, members are able to learn more about solar in a pressure-free environment. They can feel confident that they’re getting vendor-neutral and accurate information.”

Individuals interested in going solar can sign up for the co-op, as well SUN’s next free webinar on November 19, at www.solarunitedneighbors.org/keys.

About Solar United Neighbors

Solar United Neighbors is a nonprofit organization that works in Florida and nationwide to represent the needs and interests of solar owners and supporters. Solar co-ops are part of the organization’s mission to create a new energy system with rooftop solar at the cornerstone. Solar United Neighbors holds events and education programs to help people become informed solar consumers, maximize the value of their solar investment, and advocate for fair solar policies.

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