Sarasota solar co-ops transform homes, energy bills

SARASOTA (FOX 13) - Twenty-five solar panels work to power up Lynn Nilssen's Sarasota County home.  She says the energy they produce covers about 75 percent of her home's electric needs. 

Six months after installation, Nilssen's power bill is under $10 a month. 

"Any excess energy you produce, you get paid back about 90 percent of the retail rate for that energy. So we might even see a check at the end of the year," said Nilssen. 

She decided to switch to solar energy with the help of a solar co-op launch last year. 

"We live in the sunshine state. Why don't we use the sun to generate our energy?" she asked. 

Solar United Neighbors announced the opening of the second co-op in Sarasota County.  Those who sign up for the co-op get to help bid on and selects an installer. A few months later, solar panels are up and running. 

"It's a free resource that can be harnessed and save money on their bills. Whether they want to do it for environmental reasons or economic reasons, it's here. The price is right," said the co-op's coordinator, Julia Herbst. 

After tax credits, the installation costs around $10,000. Each year, savings are close to a $1,000.

Herbst works to help homeowners every step of the way. 

"We are here to talk them through that, educate them so they can make the decisions on that," she said. 

Seventy homeowners installed solar panels after the first co-op. Herbst is hopeful even more will take advantage. 

"The partners are all on board. You've got amazing days of sunshine. This is prime for being a leader in solar in Florida," she said. 

There is no obligation or cost to join. To learn more and sign-up for the co-op, visit its website, http://solarunitedneighbors.org/sarasota or attend one of the following information sessions:

- June 5 at 6 p.m at the Selby Library in Sarasota. 

- July 11 at 6 p.m at the Jacaranda Library in Venice. 

- August 7 at 6 p.m at the Gulfgate Library in Sarasota.