Adams County Partnering with Other Local Governments to Launch Solar Group Buying Program

Solar Switch program aims to help more Adams County residents access the benefits of rooftop solar energy.

Adams County, the Cities of Northglenn, Thornton, Westminster, Edgewater, Wheat Ridge, and the City and County of Denver, in partnership with nonprofit Solar United Neighbors (SUN), announced today the launch of Solar Switch – a solar group buying program.

The program offers homeowners and small businesses a convenient way to learn about and install rooftop solar panels and battery storage. Solar Switch leverages the power of group buying, and the expertise of nonprofit SUN, to ensure participants get a quality system at a discounted price. Solar Switch vets qualified installers to compete for the group and runs a reverse auction to secure a competitively priced solar package.

“We’re thrilled to expand this program and assist an even greater number of residents in Adams County by making solar energy more affordable,” said Steve O’Dorisio, Board of County Commissioners Chair. “Through this initiative, homeowners will benefit, and we will further advance our local renewable energy economy while making progress toward our county’s sustainability objectives.”

“Northglenn has prioritized sustainability efforts, and this program supports our goal of reducing our carbon footprint. Helping our residents and businesses learn about the benefits of solar and access to affordable options is an excellent way to move our community toward clean energy sources,” said Northglenn Council Member Katherine Goff and Colorado Communities for Climate Action president. “There is power in joining with our neighbors! It adds leverage we can use to attract more people to install solar panels, and that means cleaner air in our community and world.”

“Thornton is committed to building a brighter and more sustainable future for our residents,” said Thornton Mayor Jan Kulmann. “By partnering on this solar group buying program, we are creating a vibrant network of people who share a common goal of sustainability.”

“The City of Westminster is focused on providing options for residents to affordably increase their energy independence through renewable sources,” said Westminster Mayor Pro Tem David DeMott. “This solar group-buy is another great opportunity to help homeowners install solar power at a cheaper price than could be achieved through traditional approaches. I’ve had solar panels on my roof for many years and am a big advocate. I encourage many more residents to join me in adopting this clean technology that also provides local jobs.”

“We’re excited to scale the Solar Switch program to help make solar accessible to even more people in the Denver area,” said Grace Rink, Denver’s Chief Climate Officer. “This program will help homeowners while further growing our local renewable energy economy and making progress on Denver’s ambitious climate goals.”

With the dropping cost of solar panels, new federal clean energy incentives, and the Solar Switch group discount, going solar is more accessible than ever. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), participants may be able to use the solar tax credit for residential solar and save 30% on their total system cost. A similar tax credit is also available to small businesses, who are invited to take part in the program.

Residents can register for the program through Wednesday, Oct. 4, and are encouraged to sign up by Wednesday, July 26, when the installer auction will take place to help achieve better winning rates. Registration is free, and there is no obligation for homeowners to purchase solar panels. Residents will have the option to move forward with a solar installation based on program-negotiated pricing that includes the group discount. Visit SolarSwitch.com/Colorado to register and learn more. Solar Switch’s auction is expected to save residents an average of $5,000 on a standard-sized system in addition to the available solar tax credit for residential installations.

Solar Switch is another step forward in meeting each partner agencies’ sustainability goals. More rooftop solar will also help grid resiliency, grow the local economy, promote energy independence, and improve air quality. Last year, Adams County, Northglenn, and Westminster partnered with SUN to provide the first county-wide solar co-op program. The program exceeded its goals with 202 members and 39 rooftop installations that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electric generation by more than 5,600 metric tons CO2e over 25 years. Those members saved anywhere from 8-25% off statewide average costs for solar installations – saving a total of more than $1.3 million across the co-op over 25 years. Visit adcogov.org/news-and-updates-environmental-programs to learn more about the results and impacts of the 2022 Adams County Solar Co-Op.

“This partnership will bolster our efforts to bring even more local solar energy directly to residents,” said Tanner Simeon-Cox, Colorado Program Director for SUN. “Leveraging the power of group buying through Solar Switch can help participants get a discounted price on a rooftop solar installation, while receiving additional support through each phase of the process.”