Nov. 7, 2022

Two FREE “Solar Socials” Upcoming in Cary and Raleigh!

With less than two months remaining to sign up for a free assessment, Solarize the Triangle – the community-based group-buying program developed by 11 local governments in the Region – has reached another milestone in its unique pricing tiers.

Based on commitments from homeowners to add new renewable energy systems to their properties, the more residents and business owners who contract for solar installations through the Solarize program, the more savings accrue for all participants.

This month, Solarize the Triangle is moving toward its 4th price tier ($2.92/watt) with initial contracts totaling 360 kW so far. Once these installations are activated, 675,360 lbs. of CO2 in the Triangle region will be avoided – the equivalent of 760,394 gallons of gasoline driven by an average passenger vehicle.

If the final Tier 8 is reached, all homeowners who purchase during the campaign, regardless of when, will be afforded the lowest price available through the program ($2.65 /watt). Enrollment – which is to simply sign up for a free, no-obligation assessment of your property – is underway now through Dec. 31 at solarizethetriangle.com.

Already, more than 850 property owners have enrolled, seeking a free, no-obligation proposal. The Triangle Sustainability Partnership, a local government partnership of 11 communities, forged the initiative to enable residents and businesses to save on the typical cost of solar energy and battery power. Combined purchasing with others across the Triangle – plus the availability of a federal tax credit – makes for significant discounts compared to ordinary market costs.

Triangle property owners – both residential and business owners – can informally learn more about the program’s many dimensions through two upcoming free informational events that will explain the benefits of “going solar” for your home, business or nonprofit via the Solarize the Triangle campaign. Complimentary drink tickets and appetizers will be provided.

These “Solar Socials” are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 11 from 5-7 p.m. at Bond Brothers Beer Co. (202 East Cedar Street, Cary) and Saturday, Nov. 12 from 2-5 p.m. at Trophy Brewing Co. (656 Maywood Ave., Southwest Raleigh).

Each of these informal events will feature:

• Conversation with attendees about how Solarize the Triangle's group-purchase bulk-discount program works
• How best to take advantage of all the Solarize-driven incentives currently available to residents, nonprofits, and businesses for a limited time
• How to enroll for a free assessment
• Your questions and answers from and interactions with renewable energy subject-matter experts, including representatives from the installer firm chosen for the program by community leaders

Throughout this 2022 campaign, the Partnership will continue to offer 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.

One important added cost dimension is support from the federal government’s newly passed Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This law increased federal tax credits to 30 percent in savings for newly installed solar energy systems and batteries.

Interested property owners may go to solarizethetriangle.com to learn more about the program and sign up for a free, no-obligation evaluation. There are also online info sessions available for viewing anytime at solarizethetriangle.com.

All solar and battery installations are expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2023.

The objectives of the regional program include:

• Making solar energy more affordable: lower the cost of solar energy through the power of group-purchasing and reduced acquisition costs. Savings passed to residents of the Triangle region;
• Making solar energy more accessible: contractor(s), materials and pricing will be highly vetted for best practices using a competitive bid process;
• Education and community engagement: widespread community engagement, education and outreach activities through town hall meetings, workshops, solar “open house” gatherings, and outreach through local community groups and events;
• Promoting solar-positive policies: encourage local governments to adopt streamlined solar energy permitting policies and fair utility distributed generation policies; and
• Giving back: Solarize the Triangle and selected contractors will use a portion of campaign proceeds to donate a solar energy system to a deserving local nonprofit organization and/or help to underwrite solar-energy systems for qualified low- and moderate-income families with high energy burdens.

Helping to facilitate the program on behalf of the members is The Triangle J Council of Governments and Solar CrowdSource. The program’s installer, selected and vetted through a competitive bidding process, is Yes Solar Solutions, a Cary-based, fully-licensed NC general contractor with more than 1,600 projects installed.

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About Solarize the Triangle: Solarize the Triangle is a campaign developed via the Triangle J Council of Governments. Communities involved include: Chatham County, City of Raleigh, Durham County, City of Durham, Town of Cary, Town of Chapel Hill, Town of Hillsborough, Town of Carrboro, Town of Apex, Town of Morrisville and Orange County. 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 objective of the campaign, which launched in August 2022.

Contacts: 

Beth Davis, bdavis@tjcog.org

Emily Barrett,ebarrett@tjcog.org

Ken Haldin, ken@solarcrowdsource.com