Solar power is gaining traction throughout the country. Rooftop solar panels in Florida, the Sunshine State, make use of the state’s optimal geographic position in order to reap the benefits of this financially sound, energetically sustainable program. The Solar United Neighbors (SUN) and Solar Energy Loan Fund (SELF) programs of St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay area already have helped more than 100 homeowners.
What Finance Options Are Available for Homeowners Who Wish to Go Solar?
SELF program helps assist current homeowners with the installation of solar panels by offering personal loans based on their individual budgets. The program can follow up by helping with project management of the solar-augment installation. These efficient systems, which provide access to clean and affordable energy, can help drastically lower monthly utility bills. Additional benefits include the reduction of air pollution levels produced by fossil fuels, and a more stable energy grid system for the community. The SELF program is available to all community members, with no minimum or maximum income requirements. Fifty percent of SELF’s activity has aided seniors, 40 percent has helped women-led households, and 20 percent has provided support for veterans. The program’s outreach is not limited to solar panel installation; through city-approved grants, it is able to help with many other securities, such as hurricane-window installation. Through these avenues, SELF helps create stability and financial security throughout the community.
Direct Impact on St. Petersburg Residents
SELF recently made a loan to Campbell Park resident Demetrius Johnson, a U.S. military veteran who is pursuing a Ph.D. “I went through the St. Pete winter co-op,” he said, “and also, I had SELF help me with the financing! So, I’m very very happy that everything is getting started. …I can’t wait until everything is installed!”
What Are the Benefits of Joining A Solar Co-op?
Solar United Neighbors (SUN) helps St. Petersburg residents find and join solar co-ops. Through regularly held information sessions, residents learn about solar-energy conversions and about how co-ops function without any obligation to buy from the co-op installer or recruit others. SUN is a vendor-neutral nonprofit that offers free information sessions to explain solar technology, process, and economics, and explains how bulk purchasing can ensure lower prices through contractor bidding. Coming together as a group can help make a potentially intimidating process much simpler, often with discounted pricing on quality equipment and installation. SUN seeks to guide individuals to lower utility bills by using a natural resource: our abundant, clean sunshine. What could be more appropriate for the Sunshine City in the Sunshine State?
How Can I Go Solar?
For information or to start a SELF loan application, call St. Petersburg program manager Jessica Lewis, at (727) 315-3223.
An information session for SELF will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 11 at Wildwood Recreation Center, 1111 18th Ave S, St. Petersburg. Visit the SELF Gulf Coast Facebook page to stay current on program activity.
If you are interested in joining a Solar United Neighbors co-op, please visit solarunitedneighbors.org/stpete or visit FL SUN on Facebook!
