City of Sanibel Announces New Community Initiative

The City of Sanibel is partnering with the nonprofit Solar United Neighbors (SUN) to launch the Southwest Florida Solar Co-op, open to residents of Lee and Collier Counties. The group will help local homeowners and small businesses in both counties install solar panels. The group is accepting new members through January 29, 2027.

“Sanibel is excited to partner with SUN on the SWFL Solar Co-op,” said Sanibel Mayor Mike Miller. “Bringing education and reduced-cost renewable energy to our community is the first step in implementing our Strategic Energy Plan to increase island resilience.”

The solar co-op is free to join. Joining is not a commitment to make a purchase. Members receive a free roof review to see whether solar panels are right for them. Once the group is large enough, it will solicit competitive bids from local installers. A selection committee of solar co-op members will review each bid to determine which best serves the group’s needs. The chosen installer will then develop a personalized proposal for each member. Members decide individually to proceed.

All Faiths Unitarian Congregation, Audubon Western Everglades, Committee of the Islands, Conservancy of Southwest Florida, SanCap Resilience, Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation, and Sierra Club Calusa Group are partnering with the City of Sanibel and Solar United Neighbors to promote the solar co-op.

The group is hosting free virtual public information sessions to educate attendees about going solar and the solar co-op process.

Solar 101 (Virtual)
• October 13
• 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. ET
Click here to register

Solar 101 (Virtual)
• November 16
• 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. ET
Click here to register

Solar 101 (Virtual)
• December 10
• 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. ET
Click here to register

Click here to learn more about the SWFL Solar Co-op.

Comment here

Leave a Comment

We are interested in articulate, well-informed remarks that are relevant to the article. We welcome your advice, your criticism and your unique insights into the issues of the day. To be approved for publication, your comments should be civil and avoid name-calling. It may take up to 24 hours for your comment to appear, if it is approved.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.