CRAWFORDSVILLE — Today, Crawfordsville Mayor Todd Barton, Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski, and partners joined Solar United Neighbors (SUN) to launch the Tippecanoe and Montgomery Counties Solar and EV Charger Co-op.
The co-op is free to join. It is an opportunity for local homeowners and businesses to go solar together and support both counties’ commitment to sustainability.
“We are excited that this opportunity is now available to Crawfordsville residents,” said Crawfordsville Mayor Todd Barton. “We’ve made great strides as a community in increasing our solar capacity, with more than 50 percent of Crawfordsville’s normal daily load coming from the five solar parks that are located on our local system. This cooperative takes things a step further by allowing residents to shift more of their own electric use to solar at a reasonable cost.”
“As part of the Greater Lafayette Climate Action Plan, we are supporting and implementing many measures to combat climate change and transition to renewable energies,” said Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski. “I am excited to encourage our citizens on steps they can take with solar applications for positive environmental change and ultimately lower their utility bills.”
SUN facilitates a competitive bidding process during which co-op members will select a single solar company to complete the installations. SUN serves as a vendor-neutral information source. Joining the co-op does not obligate members to purchase solar. Instead, members will have the option to individually purchase panels and electric vehicle chargers based on the selected installer’s bid.
“Solar electricity is good for everyone,” said Dan Robinson, Indiana Program Associate for Solar United Neighbors. “Our solar co-op makes it easy for members to feel comfortable with their decision to go solar by helping them get a good deal on an installation, providing unbiased expert guidance, and ensuring the right system for their home.”
Additional partners supporting the co-op include Tippecanoe County, the City of West Lafayette, League of Women Voters Greater Lafayette chapter and Montgomery County chapter, Confront the Climate Crisis, the Town of Battle Ground, Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter, Earth Charter Indiana, Hoosier EVA, Faith In Place, Citizens Action Coalition, and Hoosier Environmental Council.
“We are proud to be an official partner of the solar co-op to help increase renewable energy access for our residents and progress the shared goals of the Greater Lafayette Climate Action Plan,” said Halee Griffey, Climate Resiliency and Sustainability Officer for the City of West Lafayette. “This is just one step in ensuring a more sustainable, resilient community for years to come.”
“This co-op will enable Hoosiers to take action on climate change in their communities while supporting economic development and community resilience,” said Michael Thompson, GIS Specialist for Tippecanoe County Government. “Expanding rooftop solar creates jobs and provides additional support during increasingly high summer energy demands and other extreme weather events.”
Solar United Neighbors of Indiana has completed 17 solar co-ops across Indiana. According to the group’s estimates, 256 homes and businesses across the state now have solar panels because of solar co-ops, representing 2 MW of solar power, $6.1 million invested in the regional economy, and more than 109 million lbs. of lifetime carbon offsets.
SUN will host several free information sessions to educate community members about solar energy and the co-op. Individuals interested in going solar can sign up for the co-op or one of the upcoming information sessions at the co-op web page www.solarunitedneighbors.org/tmcounties
Solar 101 meetings are planned for:
- June 12 at 6:30 p.m. at West Lafayette City Hall Council Chambers at 222 N. Chauncey Ave. in West Lafayette, Indiana 47906. Register here to attend.
- June 16 at 12 p.m. at Fusion 54 at 101 West Main Street in Crawfordsville, IN, 47933 (part of the “Lunch with the League of Women Voters of Montgomery County” series). Register here to attend.
June 29 at 6:30 p.m. Online. Register here to participate.
About Solar United Neighbors
Solar United Neighbors is a nonprofit organization that works in Indiana and nationwide to represent the needs and interests of solar owners and supporters. Solar co-ops are part of the organization’s mission to create a new energy system with rooftop solar at the cornerstone. Solar United Neighbors holds events and education programs to help people become informed solar consumers, maximize the value of their solar investment, and advocate for fair solar policies.
