ANNAPOLIS – Nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors (SUN) has announced the launch of the Anne Arundel and Eastern Shore Solar and EV Co-op to help Maryland residents and businesses go solar.

“The co-op will enable Anne Arundel county and Eastern Shore homeowners and business owners to join the growing community of people saving money by harnessing solar power,” said Kimberly Armstrong, Maryland program director for Solar United Neighbors. “Together, we’re building a movement to transform our electricity system into one that is cleaner, fairer, and shares its benefits more broadly.”

The co-op is free to join and open to homeowners and business owners in Anne Arundel, Kent, Queen Anne's, Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset and Worcester counties. Together, co-op members will learn about solar energy and leverage their numbers to purchase individual solar systems at a competitive price and top quality.

After a competitive bidding process facilitated by SUN, which remains vendor neutral, co-op members will select a single solar company to complete the installations. 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 installer’s group rate.

Partnering on the co-op are the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, League of Conservation Voters, Maryland Legislative Coalition, WISE (Women. Indivisible. Strong. Effective), Chestertown Environmental Committee and the Habitat for Humanity Choptank Building Committee. 

"Without the co-op, it never would have been possible for us to go solar,” said Rubén Meana Pañeda, member of a Solar United Neighbors Maryland solar co-op that launched in 2020. “Going solar with the co-op was the most cost effective solution and allowed us to make educated decisions in every single step of the whole process."

SUN has hosted 44 solar co-ops in Maryland since 2014. According to the group’s estimates, the 829 homes and businesses that now have solar panels because of co-ops represent: 6.8 thousand kW of solar power, $18.3 million in local solar spending, and more than 156.4 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 solarunitedneighbors.org/easternshore2022. 

Information meetings are planned for:

Virtual Info Session: Wine & Shine 
Friday, April 1, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Click here to register

Virtual Info Session
Thursday, May 12, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Click here to register