Cuyahoga County: Want to Go Solar?

Save Money—Go Solar in Cuyahoga County

If you live in Cuyahoga County and have been thinking about solar for your home, time is running out to take advantage of the 30 percent federal tax credit. At the end of this year it will drop to 26 percent, then 22 percent, and then disappear. But never fear! You can take advantage of this credit—the Cuyahoga County Solar Co-Op Program makes it easier than ever to install solar on your home or business. This group-buying program for Cuyahoga County residents, paired with the existing federal solar tax credit, offers home and business owners great savings on solar installation.

This is a free program sponsored by the Cuyahoga County Department of Sustainability. Through the co-op, residents can buy solar as a group which on its own gives residents a bulk discount of between 15 and 20 percent. This bulk pricing is not available to the general public and can only be obtained through the solar co-op.

How to Go Solar

The first step to join the co-op is to attend an informational meeting and learn about how solar works in Ohio and how it has helped other members of the community. Low interest loans available to eligible homeowners will also be discussed at the co-op meeting.  After you sign up for the program, an analysis will be done of your home and determine if your house is suitable for solar. The co-op will then design a plan and come up with group pricing and work will be started before the end of the year. The 30 percent tax credit expires at the end of the year, and if you begin construction before then credit will still apply. The solar co-op takes care of all the permitting for you and will walk you through the installation process.

How Solar Benefits Northeast Ohio

Going solar provides many benefits. It is secure energy that is not susceptible to changes in availability or prices. It also saves homeowners about $1,300 a year on their energy bill, and it has a major positive impact on the environment. The average solar home in NEO produces 5kwh of electricity and offsets between 2 and 3 tons of Co2. While this is a small number and it is hard to imagine an electric plant adjusting their output by 5 kwh, so far in Cuyahoga County 100+ homes have gone solar through the co-op. This equals a 450 kwh reduction in the electricity that needs to be produced and 225 tons of co2 that aren’t getting into the atmosphere every year. Together solar array owners make an impact.

The Impact in Cuyahoga County

Over 80 businesses and homeowners in Cuyahoga County have gone solar through the co-op. Mike Foley, the Director of Sustainability at Cuyahoga County, had solar installed on his home. It provides between 30 and 40 percent of his family’s electricity. “It’s an individual act to help reduce the energy cost in the long term, make your home more valuable and also do something good for the environment,” said Foley. “Think of it as a triple win in terms of ecology, costs and value.”

In November there will be a solar co-op meeting on November 12th at the North Olmstead Library. 27403 Lorain Rd. 44070 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM and we will also be broadcasting a meeting live from Cuyahoga County Headquarters on November 14th from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. Individuals can access this meeting by visiting: www.solarunitedneighbors.org/co-ops/ohio/cuyahoga-county-2020-solar-co-op/

For more information on how to join the Cuyahoga County Solar Co-Op Program or attend an informational meeting, visit www.solarunitedneighbors.org/co-ops/ohio/cuyahoga-county-solar-co-op-3/ or email ohteam@solarunitedneighbors.org.