Orange County sponsors West Orange Solar Co-op

Solar panels are all the rage now in this “Green Age.” Although the costly initial investment tends to effectively dampen potential interest. However, some organizations insist this does not have to be the case and are taking action to make it so.

Orange County Government, the League of Women Voters of Florida and Florida Solar United Neighborhoods (FL SUN) are organizing a second West Orange Solar Co-op starting August.

The idea behind solar co-ops is to get a bulk discount on solar panels. This method can save members of a co-op 10 to 20% off the regular price of solar panels and installation.

As an incentive for homeowners to invest in green tech, homes that opt for solar technology are eligible for a 30% federal tax credit for the installation costs.

A former solar co-op arranged in 2015 by the Central Florida Solar Advocates saw 142 members sign up. Sign-ups for the 2016 solar co-op  begin August and the deadline to sign up is December.

Three information sessions have been scheduled in late August for anyone interested in learning more, and additional meetings in September will be scheduled as well.

The schedule is as follows:

• Aug. 22 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Orange County Agricultural Extension Office located at 6021 S. Conway Road in Orlando.
• Aug. 23 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Meadow Woods Recreation Center located at 1751 Rhode Island Woods Circle in Orlando. 
• Aug. 24 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church located at 1901 E. Robinson Street in Orlando.