Community Buying Leads to a Half Megawatt of Energy + 1 Millions Lbs. of Avoided Carbon;
Solar Social Set for Aug. 25
OKLAHOMA CITY — In only its third month, the Solarize OKC Campaign has reached two more key milestones: achieving more than half a megawatt of renewable power and avoidance of more than 1 million pounds of carbon annually.
The campaign – a community group-purchasing program – seeks to help local homes and businesses save more than ever through the combined buying power of other OKC residents and access to a federal tax credit for solar energy.
More than 60 homeowners have completed contracts, constituting 545+ in total kW of solar power. Once these systems are fully installed and operational, the equivalent of this more than half a megawatt of residential rooftop power will be generated and 1.02 million lbs. of carbon emissions will have been avoided annually in Oklahoma City.
Contacts and visits are continuing with 375 local property owners who have requested a free evaluation in the campaign’s initial phase. Local home and business owners can enroll now for a free assessment of their property’s readiness for solar energy and battery storage.
In late July, the community-based group-purchasing solar campaign entered Tier 8, which represents the most reduced price possible for purchasing solar energy under the program. The campaign was forged and supported by a local public-private coalition involving local government and community organizations.
To help further familiarize the public with this limited-time opportunity, a free informative social event will be hosted by Solarize OKC. This Solar Social is set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, at Vanessa House Beer Company (118 NW 8th St).
This free, informal occasion will provide attendees with a casual opportunity to “talk Solar” with campaign organizers and renewable-energy experts as you consider whether solar is right for your residential or commercial/business property. Register here.
Solarize OKC remains open to all property owners in Oklahoma City. Many OKC residents and businesses are in Oklahoma City even though they have a mailing address for a suburb. Visit okc.gov/citylimits to see if your home or business is in Oklahoma City.
Valuable federal tax credits can provide 26 percent in additional savings in 2022. The campaign is time-limited with all solar and battery installations to be complete by Summer 2023.
Interested residents and businesses may go to www.solarizeOKC.com now to learn more, receive advance information on campaign details, learn more about upcoming events and sign up for a free evaluation.
*****
About Solarize Oklahoma City
Solarize Oklahoma City is a campaign forged and supported by a local public-private coalition involving RestoreOKC, the City of Oklahoma City’s Office of Sustainability, the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG), the Oklahoma Solar Association, OKC Beautiful, the Oklahoma Renewable Energy Council, the Oklahoma Compost and Sustainability Association (OCASA), Fertile Ground Cooperative and 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 residents and businesses is the campaign’s goal.
To learn more about EightTwenty, the installer chosen for this program, visit: www.eighttwenty.com.
# # #
Media Contacts:
T.O. Bowman, Program Planner
Office of Sustainability to.bowman@okc.gov ken@solarcrowdsource.com, (405) 297-3168
ken Haldin, Solar Crowdsource
ken@solarcrowdsource.com, 404-405-2924
