PHOENIX — The new Phoenix Solar Co-op, recently launched by national nonprofit Solar United Neighbors, or SUN, has chosen Green Muscle Solar to install panels for the group.
Members are working together to learn about solar energy and see if it is right for them. The group is accepting new members through Friday, Aug. 21.
“In Phoenix, we know sunshine — and we’re working to harness it by expanding access to clean and affordable energy throughout our community,” stated Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego in a news release. “The Phoenix Solar Co-op makes it easy for residents and small businesses to go solar and reduce energy bills, receive discounted installation and quality assurance and have the assistance of the experts at Solar United Neighbors throughout the process.”
The solar co-op is free to join and open to homeowners and small business owners in Metro Phoenix. Together, solar co-op members will learn about solar energy and leverage their numbers to purchase individual solar systems at a competitive price and top quality.
“If you’ve thought about going solar, now is still a great time,” stated Arizona Program Associate for Solar United Neighbors Jess White in the news release. “This selection committee had a hard decision as this was the most competitive pricing we’ve ever seen. Energy costs are climbing and going solar is a way to get a handle on your electric bill by taking control of where your energy comes from.”
Solar co-op members selected Green Muscle Solar through a competitive bidding process over six other installers.
“Arizona remains one of the best places in the country for rooftop solar and, as a locally owned Arizona solar company, we’re excited to be part of a program that puts homeowners first,” stated Green Muscle Solar co-owner, Brent Lewis in the news release. “By simplifying the process and providing trusted guidance, the co-op makes going solar more approachable for everyone.”
Joining the solar co-op does not obligate members to purchase solar. Instead, members have the option to individually purchase panels and electric vehicle chargers based on the Green Muscle Solar’s group rate.
“I am very encouraged by the quote I received through the SUN co-op program,” selection committee member Drew Williamson stated. “I was very disappointed when the federal government did away with the 30% residential rooftop tax credit at the end of last year. I was right in the middle of negotiating a deal with a local solar system installer when the federal government jerked the rug out from underneath the deal. Thanks to the SUN solar co-op my quote is 26% cheaper than the deal I was ready to go with in December 2025, almost completely making up for the tax credit we lost. The warranty is better through the solar co-op as well. And, I am currently investigating the lease-purchase option available. It has the potential to lower the cost even further.”
Arizona Interfaith Power & Light, Drive Electric Arizona, Poder Latinx and Vote Solar are partnering with Solar United Neighbors on the solar co-op.
SUN has hosted 26 solar co-ops in Arizona since 2019. According to the group’s estimates, the nearly 600 homes and businesses that now have solar panels because of co-ops represent: 4.8 MW of solar power, $14 million in local solar spending and more than 64 million pounds of lifetime carbon offsets and more than 100 local jobs.
Editor’s note: The above was republished from a Solar United Neighbors news release.
