According to a news release announcing the meeting, joining the Kandiyohi County Solar Co-op is free and is not a commitment to purchase solar panels. Once the group is large enough, Solar United Neighbors — one of the sponsors of the cooperative along with Clean Up the River Environment — will help solicit competitive bids from area solar installers.

The informational meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Goat Ridge Brewery, 17 Central Avenue West, New London. In addition to information about the cooperative, the nonprofit Citizens Utility Board will also present information on how to read a utility bill both before and after installing rooftop solar.

Kandiyohi County residents interested in joining the cooperative can sign up at the website at www.solarunitedneighbors.org/kandiyohi.

According to the news release, solar co-op participants will select a single company to complete all of the rooftop installations. They will then have the option to purchase panels individually based on the installer’s group rate if they choose to move forward with solar.

A paid membership option allows homeowners to receive one-on-one support in making the decision to go solar.

According to the news release, by going solar as a group and choosing a single installer, participants can save on the cost of going solar and have the support of fellow group members and solar experts at Solar United Neighbors.

The organization has worked with over 100 solar co-ops, helping roughly 2,500 homes go solar across five states and Washington, D.C., saving homeowners approximately $9.6 million, according to the news release.