happening in Midtown Downtown
- Solar Buying Co-ops
- Thu., Feb. 9, 6:30 pm.
- The Green Neighborhood Council will hold a roundtable discussion on the steps involved in forming a solar-buying co-op: what other cities have done or are doing and the lessons learned, the benefits to homeowners and our community, 2012 tax credits and incentives, installation options besides our roofs, and how other co-ops have selected installers.
Solar buying co-ops provide homeowners access to easy and affordable installation of solar energy systems through bulk purchase discounts, tax credits and incentives. Educational and practical workshops to reduce the complexity of making a solar purchase are another benefit. A solar-buying co-op is, essentially, a “support group” for all who are interested in “going solar” and learning from one another and from community experts how to make an informed, cost-effective purchase. Residents who already have had PV or solar hot water systems installed are also invited to come and share what you have learned.
Initially, we will use Solarize Portland and Minnesota’s Make Mine Solar H20 as model co-ops, and The Solarize Guidebook to help outline and focus the discussion.
Solarize Portland is a volunteer-driven community program led by neighborhood associations to bring renewable energy and weatherization to Portland, Oregon homes: http://www.solarizeportland.org/index.html
Make Mine Solar H20 – The Minnesota Renewable Energy Society recently initiated this volume purchasing program, with the goal of installing 1000 solar hot water systems in the Twin Cities by the end of 2012:: www.mnrenewables.org/MakeMineSolar
The Solarize Guidebook: A community guide to collective purchasing of residential PV systems (PDF). The guidebook provides lessons, considerations, and step-by-step plans for project organizers to replicate the success of Solarize Portland: http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy11osti/50440.pdf
Free Books: A free green book will be given to the first 50 attendees.
Questions? Suggestions? Email Helen Deffenbacher, GNC co-chair and workshops coordinator: hdeffenbacher@cox.net
- Neighborhood Center for Greater Omaha
- Free and open to the pubic.
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