Cooperative Solar

Rooftop Solar Tool

 

If you’re interested in the benefits of a rooftop solar system but are concerned about whether a rooftop installation is right for you, then Cooperative Solar may be for you. As a Cooperative Solar subscriber, you’ll receive clean, affordable, renewable solar energy directly from Sumter EMC’s portfolio of solar energy facilities. Sumter EMC takes on the risk of ownership and maintenance, while you receive your share of the sun without the hassle! And it’s all very easy.

 

How It Works

GET HASSLE-FREE COOPERATIVE SOLAR

Sumter EMC Cooperative Solar makes it easy for members to have all the benefits of solar energy without the hassles. For answers to our most frequently asked questions, see the FAQ section below.

Sumter EMC has invested in a utility-scale solar facility and will be offering blocks of Cooperative Solar energy to residential members. If you sign up, solar energy from the Cooperative Solar facility will be used to offset your residential energy usage without any of the hassles associated with having solar panels installed on your property. Here’s how it works:

Availability

Members can purchase up to 2 blocks of solar energy on a first-come, first-served basis. If blocks are sold out, we will place your name on a waiting list.

Eligibility

Only members who receive electric service from Sumter EMC can participate in Cooperative Solar, and participation is limited to residential accounts.

Pricing and Energy Output

The monthly charge for each 1.25 kW solar energy block is $25. Each block is expected to generate between 136 and 237 kilowatt-hours of energy per month based upon variables such as the sun’s position, the season of the year, number of cloudy days, and other factors.

Billing

For $25 per month for each solar energy block, you will receive credit on your monthly bill for the kilowatt-hours generated by your solar energy block(s). If you use fewer kilowatt-hours during the billing period than the kilowatt-hours generated by your solar energy block(s), you will receive credit for the excess energy (per Sumter EMC’s Net Energy Metering Schedule NEM-1).

Signing-up

If you have further questions about signing-up for cooperative solar, please send us a message and you will be contacted by a Sumter EMC solar expert.

If you are ready to take the first step in the enrollment process, use this form today!

 

FAQ

Sumter EMC Cooperative Solar offers residential members solar energy from a large solar facility that generates solar energy more economically than rooftop or yard installations. The solar energy is delivered from the large solar facility to the member's home by the same distribution lines already in place. And it enables the member to avoid many problems that accompany rooftop installations and yard installations.

Putting a solar system on your roof will require you to have a sound structure with a roof covering that is less than three years old.  It will require you to remove all trees or obstructions that would shade your roof during the day.  There are energy savings lost during the summer months by exposing your house to full sun.  You would be responsible for the maintenance on the solar system as well as damage that could come from wind and hail storms. The presence of the rooftop solar is a problem when shingles must be replaced. There could also be considerable cost to upgrade your electrical system to handle the power generated by the solar system.  Building codes and neighborhood covenants may also pose problems. There could also be an issue with increased property taxes from the value added to your property. There is a question whether the presence of a solar installation will be a positive or a negative in the event you choose to sell your home.

Owning rooftop solar requires an upfront cash payment as well as a long-term commitment. While leasing enables you to avoid the upfront cash payment, it is still a long-term commitment and may require certain credit approvals.

You have many of the same problems that you would have had by placing the solar system on your roof.  While you would avoid the roof structure issues, you would add the loss of yard space and pick up maintaining the property around the solar system.

Yes. You must be a member with an active residential account to participate in Sumter EMC Cooperative Solar.

You can sign-up now.  Your billing and energy credits start with the next billing cycle after all documents are received by the Cooperative.

The price is $25.00 per month for each energy block you purchase plus applicable sales tax.  

Each residential member may purchase up to two blocks of solar energy on a first-come, first-served basis.  If blocks are sold out, we will place your name on a waiting list.

Each block is expected to generate between 136 and 237 kilowatt hours of energy per month based upon variables such as the sun’s position, season of the year, number of cloudy or rainy days in the month and other factors.  

We will credit your monthly utility bill to reflect the amount of electricity produced from the previous month by your portion of the Cooperative Solar facility.  You get the benefits of solar energy without installing panels on your roof or property.

No. You are purchasing the electricity generated by the solar panels, but you will not own any property or equipment.

There is no long-term contract.  You may quit at any time by notifying Sumter EMC before your account bills for the current month.  In the event your account has billed you will not be billed the next month.  Keep in mind, when you leave the program you may have to be placed on a waiting list to get back on solar.

Since there is no equipment required on the property, renters may participate the same as homeowners.

No problem.  You can keep your solar energy blocks if you move to another location served by Sumter EMC.  If you move outside of the cooperative’s service territory or otherwise discontinue participating in Cooperative Solar, the co-op will make the block of energy available for another interested member.

Sumter EMC maintains the solar units and there is never a charge to you for maintenance and up-keep to the solar system.

None. You may stop participating at any time and there is nothing that changes on the equipment in your yard and on your home.

Several factors go into locating a large utility-scale solar generating facility.  All factors must contribute to the construction of a facility large enough to achieve economies of scale. It must be close to transmission power lines and should have full view of the sun from early morning until sunset.  There are also lower costs of construction and maintenance by having a larger site that houses several acres of panels. Additional factors are property taxes and costs of land.

Not necessarily.  The technology we have today to generate and transmit electric power enables Sumter EMC to locate generation resources just about anywhere in Georgia.

Ready For Cooperative Solar?

Complete and submit this form to begin the enrollment process for Cooperative Solar. Your name will be placed in the queue on a first-come, first-served basis to be contacted by a Sumter EMC solar representative.

Webform
Apply for Cooperative Solar

Please complete this application to apply for Cooperative Solar. 

Solar Energy Purchase Options
I authorize Sumter EMC to bill my account for the solar electricity option I have selected above. I have reviewed and agreed to the terms of service for participating in the Sumter EMC Cooperative Solar program. I understand that I can elect to withdraw from the Sumter EMC Cooperative program at any time by notifying Sumter EMC of my intent to withdraw from the program.
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Terms of Service
Applicability: Sumter EMC Cooperative Solar electric service program is only available to residential members served by Sumter EMC under Rate Schedule RS-9B, Residential Service, and successor rate schedules.

Members billed under Sumter EMC's Prepay service are not eligible to participate in Cooperative Solar. 

Members who participate in Cooperative Solar shall be charged for electric service purchased under that rate schedule which would otherwise be applicable of the Member was not participating in Cooperative Solar. Charges and credits under rate Rider CS-1 shall be added to (or credited against, as appropriate) such otherwise applicable rate schedule to determine the net amount owed to Sumter EMC by the member (or owed to the Member by Sumter EMC, as appropriate).

Availability: Members may apply for and purchase up to 2 blocks of solar energy on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the total number of blocks under the Sumter EMC Cooperative Solar program has been purchased, additional eligible members will be placed on a waiting list and may begin participating in the program as blocks become available.

Members are not required to sign a long-term contract and may withdraw from Cooperative Solar at any time by notifying Sumter EMC. Prior participants wanting to rejoin the program may be placed on a waiting list due to the limited availability of solar energy blocks.

If a member participating in the Cooperative Solar program moves from one location to another location served by Sumter EMC and wants to remain in the program, then the Member will remain in the program, provided that the Member meets all the program's eligibility requirements at the new service location.

Pricing and Energy Production: Blocks of solar electricity are $25 per block, per month. Each block is expected to generate between 136 and 237 kilowatt-hours of energy per month based upon variables such as the sun's position, the season of the year, weather conditions, and other factors. 

Billing: Members who participate in Cooperative Solar will be billed each month as follows: 
  1. A charge of $25 for each 1.25 kW ac solar energy block; plus
  2. All charges contained in the Cooperative's rate schedule that would otherwise be applicable in the Member was not participating in Cooperative Solar, except that the energy-related charges in such rate schedule shall be applied to the Member's Net Energy (Net Energy is the positive difference between the electricity supplied to a Member from the electric grid by the Member's solar energy block(s) during the prior calendar month; plus
  3. A credit equal to the Purchase Rate per kWh in the Cooperative's Net Energy Metering Schedule NEM-1F and successor rate schedules, times the Member's Excess Net Energy. (Excess Net Energy is the positive difference between the electricity generated and fed into the electric grid by the Member's solar energy block(s) during the prior calendar month and the electricity consumed by the Member during the current Billing Period, which is the time period between the dates on which the Cooperative normally reads the retail service meter for billing purposes). 
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