Mclean County, IL, With less than a month to go, the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) in partnership with The Ecology Action Center (EAC) of Normal, have surpassed their goal of 100 kW solar for home, business and farm installation in McLean County through their Solar Group Buy Program. Meeting this benchmark gives participants a further discount of 1%, making solar even more accessible and affordable for residents through the power of volume purchasing. The next discount occurs at 150 kW. With 108 kW already committed, the second benchmark is achievable prior to the program’s deadline of September 30th.
A total of 20 informational Power Hour sessions were held since the program’s launch in April, reaching over 230 individuals. Michael Brown, Executive Director of the Ecology Action Center, was happy the Ecology Action Center could help with this program, “This is an exciting opportunity to expand solar in McLean County, lower energy bills for participants and expand our community’s sustainability efforts”. So far 12 home and business owners have signed up to go solar through the program, bringing a total of 108 kW of clean solar energy to McLean County.
Education is the core of the program. MREA, EAC, and StraightUp Solar staff educate participants on all aspects of the solar process, making the entire project easily accessible and cost-effective for participants. Through the program, participants don’t have to worry about selecting an installer, applying for state and federal incentives, working with the utility, zoning, or any other task that might otherwise deter an individual from going solar. The Group Buy Program helps participants navigate the easiest and most cost effective route to solar.
“MREA and EAC work together to educate those who are interested in going solar,” said Peter Murphy, solar program manager at MREA. “The goal is for folks to learn about solar, which can seem daunting at first, and then go into the process with eyes wide open.”
Together the EAC and MREA have solidified local company StraightUp Solar as the program’s installer through a competitive bid process. StraightUp Solar has installed hundreds of solar arrays, has both master electricians and North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certified professionals on staff. MREA is an advocate for having NABCEP-certified installers on all solar projects to ensure systems are completed to the highest standard of quality and safety. StraightUp Solar provides interested participants free site assessments, helping customers determine whether rooftop solar will make sense on their property.
Interested participants have until September 30th to formally express interest in the program, with a deadline of October 31st to sign a contract. For more information about participating in the Solar Bloomington-Normal group buy, contact MREA’s Solar Program Coordinator, Peter Murphy at 414-988-7963, or [email protected].
The Solar Bloomington-Normal Group Buy Program is brought to you by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), with support from promotional partner the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative.
The MREA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational organization. Founded in 1990, the MREA promotes renewable energy and sustainable living through education and demonstration. To learn more, call 715-592-6595 or visit www.midwestrenew.org.
The Ecology Action Center is a not-for-profit environmental agency with a mission to inspire and assist residents of McLean County in creating, strengthening and preserving a healthy environment. The EAC acts as a central resource for environmental education, information, outreach, and technical assistance in McLean County.
