This summer, a group of Madison residents are coming together to significantly reduce the cost of putting solar panels on their homes. Supported by the City of Madison and by several partner organizations, the MadiSUN Group Solar Purchase program is modeled after successful efforts in other neighborhoods across the county to make solar more affordable. Group volume purchasing of solar can result in savings of $2500 to $5,000 or more depending on the total number of households that participate and the size of the system you install. These potential savings, plus a dramatic decrease in the cost of solar energy in the past two years have made solar energy a viable investment for many homeowners.
Several free workshops will be offered this summer at different neighborhood centers so residents can learn how to participate in this solar group purchase program. Workshop participants will also get help understanding and finding additional ways to make solar energy affordable such as energy efficiency, off-peak rates and renewable attribute sales. In addition, for a limited time, MG&E is offering new solar installations an Advanced Renewable Tariff of .25/kWh for energy generated through homeowner installed solar PV.
Using an interactive solar map, homeowners interested in solar energy can now easily determining their property’s average annual solar exposure at https://solarmap.cityofmadison.com/madisun/. For more information about group purchasing and the upcoming workshops, visit www.madisun.org/group.