Solarize KC will make it more affordable to install solar in KC homes

A coalition of local organizations is set to unveil Solarize KC, a unique community-based campaign that makes solar energy and battery storage more affordable to participants through group purchasing.

Solarize KC offers an opportunity to install solar energy infrastructure at your home or business at discount prices achievable through bulk buying along with others in Kansas City. The more purchasers, the lower the total price of an installed renewable energy system.

Solarize KC is already accepting advance registrations for the upcoming program. Interested residents may go to solarizekansascity.com to learn more about the program and sign up to be first in line for a free evaluation.

"Clean, renewable solar energy should be available to each and every home in Kansas City, and this campaign will expand that opportunity for everyone," said Mayor Quinton Lucas. "Working together, we can build a Kansas City with cleaner skies and lower power bills."

A component of the Solarize KC program will enable homeowners in select neighborhoods to apply for subsidies to ensure that low to moderate income households are able to participate.

"Residential solar installations help reduce energy costs and carbon emissions, and battery backup systems are a crucial source of energy during emergencies," said City Manager Brian Platt. "We believe in the power of renewable energy and know that it will help our city become cleaner, healthier and more sustainable."

Everyone interested in the Solarize KC campaign is invited to attend the launch event at 6 p.m. on June 6, at Operation Breakthrough Ignition Lab, 3039 Troost Ave. This special event will include presentations about how solar works and a chance to see a solar panel up close, plus:

Remarks from Mayor Quinton Lucas and City Manager Brian Platt; Representatives from the coalition of local organizations who created, and support Solarize KC; Solar energy experts from the locally chosen installer company selected through competitive bidding; Information about the benefits of solar energy and battery storage; and How local homeowners and businesses can enroll for a free assessment of their property through Solarize KC

Solarize KC is a community-based group-purchasing program for solar energy, battery storage and other clean-energy technologies. This initiative will help homeowners, businesses and nonprofits become more resilient, reduce energy expenses, and save on the cost of renewable-energy systems by obtaining volume discounts on materials and installation services.

"Westside Housing sees Solarize KC as an opportunity for families who receive home repairs such as a new roof to take the next step and reduce their cost for electrical billing," said Gloria Ortiz-Fisher, executive director, Westside Housing. "What a winning opportunity to reduce the cost of energy. All families - especially the low-income families we work with - will benefit from solar power."

Local coalition organizations involved in this partnership include: City of Kansas City, MO; Kansas City Public Library; Metropolitan Energy Center, USGBC - Central Plains; Climate+Energy Project; Missouri Chapter of the Sierra Club; Westside Housing; Greenwood Consulting Group LLC, Center for Neighborhoods, and MY REGION WINS!, with support from Solar Crowdsource.

Solar energy is clean, makes homes and businesses more climate-resilient and can stimulate local economic growth. Going solar can also reduce energy and economic burdens for low- and moderate-income residents.

Following a criteria-based evaluation process, the Solarize KC Coalition has chosen Sun Solar to provide local property owners with this volume-purchasing opportunity. A representative from the company and other local solar advocates will be among the participants in the upcoming launch event.

"We are proud and excited to be partnering with Solarize Kansas City. We will be helping area homeowners and businesses save money on energy costs by providing solar coupled with energy-efficiency upgrades," said Caleb Arthur, founder and CEO of Sun Solar. "We are looking forward to helping reduce these costs, especially for low-income families."

Following the launch event, Solarize KC will offer multiple clean-energy education and outreach events designed to increase participation through a better understanding of rooftop solar components, the factors that determine suitability for each home or building, and contract provisions. All solar and battery installations are expected to be completed by June 30, 2023.

About Solarize KC: Solarize Kansas City is a campaign forged and supported by a local public-private coalition involving the City of Kansas City, MO, Kansas City Public Library; Metropolitan Energy Center, USGBC - Central Plains; Climate+Energy Project; Missouri Chapter of the Sierra Club; Westside Housing; Greenwood Consulting Group LLC, Center for Neighborhoods, and MY REGION WINS!, with support from Solar Crowdsource.

Lowering the cost of solar-energy and battery-storage installations through the power of bulk purchasing, reducing contractor acquisition costs, and transferring those savings to residential and commercial residents is the goal of the campaign, which will launch in May 2022.

For more information, contact Andy Savastino, Chief Environmental Officer, City of Kansas City, (816) 513-3460.

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