FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 14, 2022
KANSAS CITY — A new local renewable energy coalition is seeking bids from solar contractors for a Kansas City community initiative that seeks to make solar energy more affordable for local homeowners, businesses and nonprofits.
Solarize KC has issued a request for proposals from area solar-energy design and installation companies for the group-purchasing program it’s launching later this Spring. The deadline for bidders to respond is April 30. The request for proposal document is available here.
Solarize KC is a community-based group-purchasing program for solar energy, battery storage and other clean-energy technologies. This initiative will help homeowners, businesses and nonprofits become more resilient, reduce energy expenses, and save on the cost of renewable-energy systems by obtaining volume discounts on materials and installation services. Solarize campaigns are driven by community group purchasing. The more participants who enroll, the greater the savings for all.
“We have created this community coalition to build awareness of the benefits of solar-energy and battery-storage systems to local residents and business owners,” said Dorothy Barnett, executive director, Climate+Energy Project. “By working together to offer community-based bulk purchasing, everyone can benefit from the power of volume pricing for materials and installation. This is a unique, time-limited opportunity that we believe can be a game-change for increasing renewable energy usage in our community.”
Solarize KC is seeking competitive bids from the local solar community to ensure best-in-class materials are installed by qualified solar professionals for the lowest available price.
Coalition organizations involved in developing and partnering together to ensure Solarize KC
is a success include: the City of Kansas City, MO; Kansas City Public Library; Metropolitan Energy Center, USGBC – Central Plains; Climate+Energy Project; Missouri Chapter of the Sierra Club; Westside Housing; Greenwood Consulting Group LLC, Center for Neighborhoods, and MY REGION WINS!, with support from Solar Crowdsource.
“Westside Housing sees Solarize KC as an opportunity for families who receive home repairs such as a new roof to take the next step and reduce their cost for electrical billing,” said Gloria Ortiz-Fisher, executive director, Westside Housing. “What a winning opportunity to reduce the cost of energy. All families – especially the low-income families we work with – will benefit from Solar power.”
Solar energy is clean, makes homes and businesses more climate-resilient and can stimulate local economic growth. Going solar can also reduce energy and economic burdens for low- and moderate-income residents.
Beyond more affordable electricity bills and increased renewable energy adoption, among the campaign’s goals are to create pathways for local residents to get green jobs and provide deeper cost reductions for low- and moderate-income residents.
Bid Meeting Replay Available: Campaign organizers held a virtual bid conference on April 12. Prospective bidders are encouraged to view this meeting to get an overview of the campaign and listen to a Q&A session. A replay of this meeting is available now.
Once an installer is selected, Solarize KC will offer a series of clean-energy education and outreach events with a goal of increasing participation through a better understanding of rooftop solar components, suitability assessment considerations, and contract provisions. All solar and battery installations are expected to be completed by June 30, 2023.
Solarize KC is now accepting advance registrations for the upcoming program. Interested residents may go to solarizekansascity.com to learn more about the program and sign up in advance to be first in line for a free evaluation.
About Solarize KC: Solarize Kansas City is a campaign forged and supported by a local public-private coalition involving the City of Kansas City, MO, Kansas City Public Library; Metropolitan Energy Center, USGBC – Central Plains; Climate+Energy Project; Missouri Chapter of the Sierra Club; Westside Housing; Greenwood Consulting Group LLC, Center for Neighborhoods, and MY REGION WINS!, with support from Solar Crowdsource.
Lowering the cost of solar-energy and battery-storage installations through the power of bulk purchasing, reducing contractor acquisition costs, and transferring those savings to residential and commercial residents is the goal of the campaign, which will launch in May 2022.
Contact:
Jensen Adams
(816) 701-3639
Ken Haldin
(404) 405-2924
