Areawide Campaign to Offer More Affordable Solar Energy to Oklahoma Green Country Property Owners Via Group-Buying Program
TULSA — A newly formed local public-private coalition is seeking competitive bids from solar contractors for a purchasing program aimed at making solar energy more affordable for homeowners, businesses and nonprofits in Green Country.
Known as Solarize Green Country, the coalition publicly issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) on Jan. 13 to encourage area solar-energy design and installation companies to vye for involvement in a 2023 group-purchasing program. The deadline for bidders to respond is Wednesday, Feb. 15. The RFP and related documents are available here. .
The community-based group-purchasing program is aimed at making solar energy, battery storage and other related energy technologies more affordable and accessible for homeowners, businesses and nonprofits within Green Country.
Solarize Green Country is forged by a coalition of individuals and organizations in the Green Country region of Oklahoma dedicated to:
- Raising awareness of local solar energy potential
- Providing practical education and support
- Reducing costs through group purchasing of materials and installation services
- Paving the way for more local solar in the future
By creating volume discounts on materials and installation services, Solarize campaigns are driven by community group purchasing. The more participants who take part in purchasing, the greater the economic savings for all.
Solarize campaigns have been adopted in numerous communities around the country since their inception in 2009 as a method to help local residents achieve energy independence together. Solarize Green Country is the first such campaign of its kind in this area. A public launch of the campaign is planned for March 2023.
Solar energy can help to achieve energy independence and stimulate local economic growth. Going solar can also reduce energy and economic burdens. Among the new campaign’s goals are to create a program for deeper cost reductions for a number of qualified low- and moderate-income residents to receive new energy systems that reduce their household energy costs.
Solarize Green Country was developed among multiple area organizations: Ready for 100 Tulsa Campaign, Oklahoma Solar Association, Indian Nations Council of Governments, Oklahoma Renewable Energy Council, Real Good Food, Price Family Properties, Green Country Group of Oklahoma Sierra Club, Environmental Energy & Natural Resources Advocates, and Solar Crowdsource.
Bid Meeting
Campaign organizers will hold a virtual bid conference via Zoom on Monday, Jan. 23 at 10:30 a.m Central Time. Prospective bidders are encouraged to attend this meeting to get an overview of the campaign and participate in a Q&A session. Registration here is required.
One or more installers for residential and/or commercial properties will be selected based on criteria put forth by the coalition. Details about the requirements, including a preference for selection of an area- or state-based installer, are contained in the RFP.
Once an installer is chosen, a series of energy education and outreach events will be offered within Green Country, including both in-person and online activities. The goal is to increase awareness and participation through an understanding of rooftop solar components, suitability assessment considerations, and contract provisions. All solar and battery installations are expected to be completed by June 30, 2024..
Solarize Green Country is now accepting advance registrations for the upcoming program. Interested residents may go to SolarizeGreenCountry.com to learn more about the program and sign up in advance to be first in line for a free evaluation.
About Solarize Green Country: Solarize Green Country is a program promulgated by a public-private coalition consisting of Ready for 100 Tulsa Campaign, Oklahoma Solar Association, Indian Nations Council of Governments, Oklahoma Renewable Energy Council, Real Good Food, Price Family Properties, Green Country Group of Oklahoma Sierra Club, Environmental Energy & Natural Resources Advocates, and Solar Crowdsource. Increasing energy independence via reducing the barriers and cost of solar-energy and battery-storage installations through the power of bulk purchasing is the objective of the campaign, which will launch in March 2023.
Contact(s):
Ken Haldin
(404) 405-2924
