Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve felt as if we’re all trapped in the movie Groundhog Day. The days run together, and the news just repeats itself in an endless cycle.

But Tuesday, February 2, brings the annual Groundhog Day celebration, when our attention turns to Punxsutawney, PA, where a groundhog will emerge from his burrow and see his shadow — or not. Tradition says that if clear weather allows the groundhog to see his shadow, he’ll retreat to his den and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks. If clouds hide his shadow, an early spring is around the corner.

Unless, like the groundhog, you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’ve probably heard about the potential of solar energy to harvest sunlight to create electricity. But look out the window in February, and you might not see any shadows. And no sunshine means no solar energy to gather.

That’s not true with our Co-op Solar program. With Co-op Solar, you get the benefit of electricity gathered by solar panels not on your rooftop, but at large arrays across the Midwest. And even if the sun’s not shining anywhere, you’re connected with dependable electric power from your co-op.

Co-op Solar: A Community Solar System

Thanks to Co-op Solar, you can benefit from the power of the sun regardless of the local weather forecast. That’s because, instead of gathering energy from solar panels on your roof, Co-op Solar arrays are placed strategically in Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. When you join the Co-op Solar program, you get the benefit of solar energy gathered from all our arrays.

Which means that when it’s cloudy where you live, but sunny elsewhere in the region, you’re getting solar energy with no expensive solar panels to buy or maintain. There’s no problem if your house isn’t well situated for solar panels. You don’t even have to own your home; with Co-op Solar, renters can take advantage of solar energy, too.

Get a closer look at how Co-op Solar works. Stop worrying about sunshine in one small town and harness the solar power of an entire region.