Participants at Sanibel’s Strategic Energy Plan Workshop in August. -MIKE CAMPTON / COURTESY PHOTO
A community conversation about Sanibel’s energy future is helping create a new opportunity for residents and businesses across Southwest Florida to explore rooftop solar.
As part of the City of Sanibel’s Strategic Energy Plan process, community members have helped identify priorities for creating a more resilient and sustainable energy future for the island. Through public engagement and stakeholder input, the planning process established an Energy Vision and strategic goals focused on strengthening energy resilience, improving efficiency and expanding access to renewable energy.
Now, one of those goals is moving from planning to action.
The City of Sanibel has partnered with Solar United Neighbors (SUN), a nonprofit organization that helps individuals and communities navigate the process of going solar, to support the 2026 Southwest Florida Solar Co-op.
A solar co-op brings homeowners and businesses interested in solar energy together as a group. Participants receive independent information and support from SUN while benefiting from the collective purchasing power of the co-op. Through a competitive process, members can select a solar installer to serve the group, potentially resulting in more competitive pricing and a more streamlined process for participants.
Joining the co-op is free and does not obligate participants to purchase or install solar. Instead, it provides an opportunity to learn more about rooftop solar, receive expert guidance and determine whether solar makes sense for their home or business.
While Sanibel’s participation grew out of the Strategic Energy Plan process, the co-op extends well beyond the island. Homeowners and businesses throughout Southwest Florida are encouraged to participate, making the initiative an example of how a local planning effort can help create opportunities with regional benefits.
For Sanibel, the partnership also represents an important step in implementing a plan shaped by community input. Rather than simply establishing long-term goals, the Strategic Energy Plan is intended to identify practical actions that can help the community become better prepared for the future.
Expanding rooftop solar is one way individual property owners can participate in that effort while exploring opportunities to reduce their reliance on traditional energy sources.
Residents and businesses interested in learning more about the 2026 Southwest Florida Solar Co-op or joining at no cost can visit SolarUnitedNeighbors.org/swfl.