Homeowner co-op puts solar panels on roofs [View all]

[Baitball Blogger]

A fledgling solar nation is taking shape in Central Florida with more than two-dozen members of an east Orange County cooperative now getting power-producing panels on their rooftops and another co-op gearing up in the county's west side.

As interest for solar grows among utilities and big companies such as Wal-Mart, navigating prices and technology can still be daunting for individuals. While not yet a major force across the country, co-ops promise to provide strength in numbers.

That spurred formation earlier this year of a small group called Central Florida Solar Advocates, which, in turn, launched a cooperative of homeowners, East Orange Solar Co-op, within Orlando and Winter Park.

What followed were organizing meetings, a call for bids from 45 companies and ultimately the vetting of eight installers that responded. That activity prompted similar organizing west of Interstate 4, which will sign up members through early next year and is now waiting for responses to its call for bids.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-cfb-cover-solar-local-cooperative-20151108-story.html