Homeowner co-op puts solar panels on roofs

[Baitball Blogger]

A fledgling solar nation is taking shape in Central Florida with more than two-dozen members of an east Orange County cooperative now getting power-producing panels on their rooftops and another co-op gearing up in the county's west side.

As interest for solar grows among utilities and big companies such as Wal-Mart, navigating prices and technology can still be daunting for individuals. While not yet a major force across the country, co-ops promise to provide strength in numbers.

That spurred formation earlier this year of a small group called Central Florida Solar Advocates, which, in turn, launched a cooperative of homeowners, East Orange Solar Co-op, within Orlando and Winter Park.

What followed were organizing meetings, a call for bids from 45 companies and ultimately the vetting of eight installers that responded. That activity prompted similar organizing west of Interstate 4, which will sign up members through early next year and is now waiting for responses to its call for bids.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-cfb-cover-solar-local-cooperative-20151108-story.html

[Mojorabbit]

1. This is awesome. I looked them up and they are not accepting new members

I have always wanted to do this! Missed out this time.

[Baitball Blogger]

2. I hope this works.

But, yes, most exciting thing I've seen come out of Central Florida since J.K. Rowling signed with Universal.

[daleo]

3. I have 16 on my garage roof

They work like a charm. I should be net neutral over the year.

[Munificence]

4. I researched it heavily

this past winter and spring and was about to bite the bullet and go "off grid".

I live out in the sticks on some property. I've got a 3000 sqft home and a 1000 sqft guest cabin. My cost were going to be around $60K (all work contracted out vs me doing it) to generate and store enough for an average monthly usage of 1300 amp hours.

At the end of the day I just couldn't do it, too many unknowns. I still keep researching though. It will happen at my place at some point.

[daleo]

5. I spent about 15 grand

But it was grid-tie, so no batteries needed.