Nonprofit solar co-op will host free webinar

The nonprofit Solar United Neighbors co-op is already taking advantage of modern technology when it comes to outfitting their homes with solar panels.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, members of the group will take advantage of some additional technology to conduct free online webinars on converting to solar energy, including one on Wednesday night focused on Indiana County residents and businesses.

“The solar co-op simplifies the process of going solar and provides members with expert advice from a nonprofit that cares first and foremost about what’s in their best interest as potential solar owners,” said Roger Horowitz, director of co-ops for Solar United Neighbors. “By attending the webinar, they’ll learn more about solar from the comfort of home and with no strings attached.”

The free webinar will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. It will be hosted through the Zoom.us service, and anyone interested can sign up by clicking here.

Co-ops are formed in a geographic area, leveraging the bulk-purchasing power of their members to get discounted pricing on solar installation.

The co-ops are free to join and open to all homeowners and business owners in the areas where they have been established. Attending the webinar and joining the co-op do not obligate members to purchase solar.

Solar United Neighbors has hosted nine co-ops in Pennsylvania since 2018. The Westmoreland co-op has 35 members following an introductory meeting in the fall of 2019, and the co-op has been popular enough in Allegheny County that two co-op groups are now full and closed to new participants.