The City of Cincinnati Office of Environment & Sustainability is proud to announce the launch of the Southwest Ohio 2026 Solar Co-op Program, providing residents, small businesses, and small nonprofits with the opportunity to explore affordable solar energy and battery storage options through a community-based purchasing model.

The Solar Co-op Program brings together building owners interested in going solar to leverage group-buying power, making the process of selecting and installing solar energy systems easier, more transparent, and more cost-effective. Solar United Neighbors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding solar access nationwide, will provide educational resources, technical expertise, and support throughout the process.

The program is open to residents of the City of Cincinnati, City of Dayton, and surrounding counties: Hamilton, Clermont, Warren, Butler, Montgomery, Clinton, Brown, Greene, Preble, Darke, Miami, and Clark.

To learn more, join the cohort, and RSVP to upcoming information sessions hosted by Solar United Neighbors, visit the Southwest Ohio 2026 Solar Co-op Program website. The co-op invites new members to join by December 1, 2026.

"The solar co-op approach is a win-win for both solar energy buyers and system installers. Bulk purchasing helps to cut the costs of going solar, which is more important than ever as electricity prices continue to increase,” said Nikki Vandivort, City of Cincinnati Clean Energy & Climate Resilience Manager.

By joining the free co-op, participants will learn together about solar technology, financing options, incentives, and the installation process. A solar installer will be competitively selected, with pricing and services negotiated on behalf of the group. Once an installer is selected, households and building owners can decide whether to opt-in.

Participation in the program supports the City’s Green Cincinnati Plan efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that come from our buildings, improve energy resilience and grid stability, and make clean energy more accessible. Cincinnati has previously participated in this co-op model and the City is excited to offer this opportunity once again thanks to an investment from the Sustainable Cities Fund.