Solar co-op schedules Westmoreland meetings, seeks members
A nonprofit that organized solar power co-ops in Allegheny and more than a half dozen other Western Pennsylvania counties scheduled three informational sessions for prospective members of a similar co-op that is forming in Westmoreland County.
Solar United Neighbors of Pennsylvania set the first meeting for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the offices of Protect PT, 3344 Route 130, Suite D, Harrison City.
The solar co-op guides homeowners through the process of going solar by offering them technical assistance and helping them leverage their collective buying power to earn a better deal from solar panel installers.
“If you want to help bring sustainable, affordable energy into your community, this is a great way to do that,” said Gillian Graber, executive director of Promote PT — a group that advocates for a sustainable future for the Penn-Trafford area and is partnering in the co-op effort, along with local activist organization Voice of Westmoreland and the Pennsylvania chapter of the Sierra Club.
We have 13 members in the (Westmoreland) co-op so far,” said Henry McKay, program director for Solar United Neighbors of Pennsylvania. “We’d like to get as close to 30 as possible before we start soliciting bids from solar installers. After that, we want it as big as possible.”
Members will have the option of signing a contact with the co-op’s selected installer, he said.
Other informational sessions are set for: 6:30 p.m. Jan. 27 in the conference center at the Fred Rogers Center on the Saint Vincent College campus in Unity and noon on Feb. 29 in the party room at Lilja’s Premiere Pizza, 4475 Route 136, in Hempfield. Pizza and soft drinks will be provided at the February meeting.
Solar United Neighbors also is organizing the annual Pennsylvania Solar Congress, which will be open to the public 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Chestnut Ridge Golf Resort & Conference Center east of Blairsville. It will include presentations on solar technology and policy.
The group additionally is organizing a Mon/Yough Solar Co-op for residents of Fayette, Washington and Greene counties who are interested in tapping into solar power.
Visit solarunitedneighbors.org/pennsylvania to register for any of the upcoming events or for more information.
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
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