Local solar co-op has chosen its provider

The Massanutten Regional Solar Co-op consists of homeowners in Rockingham, Page and Shenandoah counties, as well as the city of Harrisonburg.

Those in the co-op are concerned about the environment and their role in it. The power of a co-op is the ability to buy in bulk, which makes solar panels more affordable.

Looking at an example of numbers, one certain system pays itself off within nine years off of the energy saved.

It gives you a 10 percent return on your investment per year, and over 25 years you save $34,000.

Those numbers may be something others are looking for and a co-op can make that achievable.

"I feel that one person can make a difference and finding that way to make a difference is the hardest part. Well, the solar co-op allows one person to join a larger movement to make a difference in their community," said Matthew Wade, a member of the co-op.

He said there are so many positive factors to going solar.

Obviously there is a high up-front cost, but Wade said the return on investment, combined with helping the planet is hard to beat.

The co-op has chosen Independent Solar Solutions out of Bluemont, Virginia and the last day to sign up for the co-op is January 31, this coming Sunday.