Pompano Beach residents invited to explore solar energy options through free Broward County Solar Co-op program

Pompano Beach, Florida – Pompano Beach homeowners and small business owners who are considering switching to solar energy can now explore their options through a free community program designed to make the process easier to understand and potentially more affordable.

The City of Pompano Beach has partnered with the nonprofit organization Solar United Neighbors (SUN) to promote the Broward County Solar Co-op, an initiative that brings interested property owners together to learn about solar technology and explore group purchasing opportunities.

The program offers educational resources, professional guidance, and support for participants who want to understand what installing solar panels would involve. Joining is completely free, and members are not required to purchase equipment or move forward with installation.

One of the main goals is to help residents make informed decisions before committing to a solar energy system.

Participants can receive a free roof review to determine whether their property may be suitable for solar panels. They can also learn about installation costs, available financing options, and the steps involved in completing a solar project.

The co-op uses a group purchasing approach that allows homeowners and businesses to explore solar installation together rather than individually.

Once enough participants have joined, Solar United Neighbors will request competitive proposals from local solar installation companies.

A committee consisting of co-op members will then evaluate the bids and choose an installer to work with the group.

After the selection process, the chosen company will prepare a separate proposal for each participating property owner. These proposals will reflect the individual needs and circumstances of each property.

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However, joining the co-op does not mean that a homeowner or business owner must accept the proposal.

Each participant remains responsible for deciding whether to proceed with installation.

The program also gives residents an opportunity to learn alongside others in their community who are considering similar energy improvements.

This is the ninth solar co-op organized by Solar United Neighbors in Broward County.

According to the organization, previous co-ops in the county have helped nearly 200 families install solar energy systems.

SUN estimates that those installations will generate more than $10 million in combined energy-cost savings over the lifetime of the systems.

While actual savings can vary depending on individual circumstances, the organization points to the results of earlier programs as an example of the potential benefits of cooperative solar purchasing.

To help residents understand the opportunity, Pompano Beach will host a free Solar 101 information session on Tuesday, October 20.

The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center, located at 50 W. Atlantic Boulevard in Pompano Beach.

The meeting will be held in the center’s Front Conference Room.

During the session, attendees will receive information about how solar technology works, what installation may cost, financing considerations, and how the Broward County Solar Co-op operates.

Residents can attend the presentation without joining the program or making any commitment to purchase solar panels.

For those unable to attend the in-person meeting, additional online information sessions are scheduled throughout the coming months.

Virtual Solar 101 presentations will be offered on October 13, November 16, and December 10. Each online session will run from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

These meetings provide another opportunity for interested property owners to learn about the program before deciding whether participation makes sense for them.

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The Broward County Solar Co-op will continue accepting new members through January 31, 2027, giving residents and small businesses several months to explore the opportunity.

Solar United Neighbors is working with multiple local organizations to promote the initiative throughout the county.

In addition to the cities of Pompano Beach and Hollywood, participating partners include the League of Women Voters of Broward County, Dream in Green, Temple Solel, and the North Broward and Palm Beach Chapters of the Climate Reality Project.

The partnership brings together municipal governments and community organizations to help more property owners access information about solar energy.

For Pompano Beach residents, the co-op offers a way to investigate solar installation without facing an immediate financial commitment.

Those who decide to participate can benefit from educational assistance, a competitive installer selection process, and an individual proposal before making their final decision.

Homeowners and small business owners interested in joining the co-op or attending an upcoming Solar 101 session can find additional details at www.SolarUnitedNeighbors.org.