STEUBENVILLE — The 2023 Ohio Valley Solar Co-op has selected YellowLite Inc. to install solar panels for the group. Co-op members selected YellowLite through a competitive bidding process.

Solar United Neighbors issued a request for proposals to local installers and a committee of co-op members met in June to review bids and select a solar installer on behalf of the full group. The committee decided on YellowLite after reviewing information about pricing, quality, experience and service.

YellowLite will provide each co-op member with an individualized proposal based on the group rate. By going solar as a group and choosing a single installer, members can save off the cost of going solar and have the support of fellow group members and solar experts at Solar United Neighbors.

The co-op is open to new members until Oct.30. Homeowners and business in Jefferson, Belmont and Monroe counties in Ohio; Brooke, Hancock, Ohio, Wetzel, Marshall and Monongalia counties in West Virginia; and washington and Greene counties in Pennsylvania can sign up on the linked webpage.

Together, co-op members will learn about solar energy and leverage their numbers to purchase individual solar systems at a competitive price. The solar co-op is free to join, and joining is not a commitment to purchase panels.

“Solar works and the co-op makes going solar simple,” said Mryia Williams, Ohio program associate for Solar United Neighbors. “I know this from personal experience. I was a co-op member before I joined SUN.”

Solar United Neighbors has completed nearly 400 solar co-ops across the United States. Individuals interested in going solar can sign up for the co-op or one of the upcoming information sessions at the co-op web page, solarunitedneighbors.org/ohiovalley

“High energy costs and energy burden impact families across our region,” said Leah Barbor, West Virginia program director for Solar United Neighbors. “The solar co-op is our opportunity to have a choice about where our energy comes from.”

Partners hosting the Ohio Valley Solar Co-op include the West Virginia Electric Auto Association, West Virginia Environmental Council, Morgantown Green Team, West Virginia Rivers Coalition, Clean Air Council, Center For Coalfield Justice, Rural Action, Drive Electric Southeast Ohio, West Virginia New Jobs Coalition, Physicians For Social Responsibility Pennsylvania and Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council.

“Joining the co-op is an alternative to the status quo. It allows residents to go solar and save,” said Monica Carey, Pennsylvania program director for Solar United Neighbors. “We want to build a new energy system with rooftop solar at the cornerstone.”

Solar United Neighbors is a nonprofit organization that works in the Ohio Valley region and nationwide to represent the needs and interests of solar owners and supporters. Solar co-ops are part of the organization’s mission to create a new energy system with rooftop solar at the cornerstone. Solar United Neighbors holds events and education programs to help people become informed solar consumers, maximize the value of their solar investment, and advocate for fair solar policies.