Solar United Neighbors

What Solar United Neighbors does

Solar United Neighbors is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 46-2462990), founded in 2007 and headquartered in Washington, DC, that helps individuals, businesses, governments, and nonprofits adopt rooftop solar through community group-buying programs and consumer advocacy. The organization does not install solar or sell solar products; rather, it aggregates consumer demand by organizing solar co-ops of approximately 100 neighbors and larger Switch Together reverse-auction cohorts, then solicits competitive bids from vetted installers and provides vendor-neutral guidance throughout the procurement process. SUN operates across 14 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, with state-specific teams in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and additional jurisdictions.

The organization's product portfolio includes four core group-buying programs (SUN Solar Co-ops, Switch Together in partnership with iChoosr, Ready Set Solar!, and volunteer-led Neighbors Co-ops), supported by a free vendor-neutral Solar Help Desk, a Community Solar subscription directory, a Plug-in Solar advocacy campaign for portable solar legislation, and the SUN Action political advocacy arm. SUN's underlying technology is operational rather than intelligence-driven: a website-driven sign-up flow, event management infrastructure, and the iChoosr-powered Switch Together reverse-auction platform. Cumulative program impact reported across available state-level sources totals approximately 5,300+ families served, ~43.5 MW of installed solar capacity, and roughly $229M in lifetime customer savings across reporting states.

The business model combines three revenue streams: (1) standard installer program fees paid by the selected contractor serving each co-op or Switch Together group, (2) individual donations and a recurring Sunshine Club monthly giving program, and (3) grants supporting nonprofit advocacy and education. Pricing is installer-driven and quote-based per installation; participation in SUN programs is free with no financial obligation, and average Switch Together auction discounts of approximately $6,958 per installation are reported. Customer segments include residential homeowners and renters (primary), SMBs, government and nonprofit organizations, rural residents and farmers, and community solar subscribers — all served through community-led, direct-to-consumer, and event-driven go-to-market motions.

Name

Solar United Neighbors

Legal name

Solar United Neighbors

Website

https://solarunitedneighbors.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Solar United Neighbors is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps homeowners, businesses, governments, and nonprofits adopt rooftop solar through community-led group-buying programs (solar co-ops, Switch Together) and policy advocacy, operating across 14 states, DC, and Puerto Rico with 11–50 staff.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar Group Purchasing and Consumer Advocacy

akta.pro primary industry

Community Solar Development & Subscription Management (EUAMAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind (EUAMAJAD)

Keywords

• Solar group purchasing
• Community solar programs
• Solar policy advocacy
• Residential solar adoption
• Solar co-ops

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Installer Program Fees: SUN charges the selected solar installer a standard fee (disclosed in group purchase terms) for serving as the chosen contractor for the solar co-op or group buying program. This fee is standard regardless of company and is used to fund SUN's operations. The individual participant contracts directly with the installer — SUN is not a party to that contract.
2. Donations and Membership: SUN accepts one-time and monthly donations from supporters. The Sunshine Club monthly giving program and general donations support the nonprofit's advocacy and educational mission.
3. Nonprofit Advocacy and Education: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 46-2462990), Solar United Neighbors conducts advocacy, policy work, and educational programming funded through donations, grants, and program fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Solar United Neighbors is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps individuals, businesses, governments, and nonprofits adopt solar through community-led group purchasing programs (SUN Solar Co-ops, Switch Together with iChoosr, Ready Set Solar!, and Neighbors Co-ops). The organization aggregates consumer demand to negotiate competitive installation pricing through vendor-neutral reverse auctions, provides free expert guidance via its Solar Help Desk, connects consumers to community solar subscriptions, and advocates for pro-solar policies.

Product overview

Solar United Neighbors is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as a platform of solar group-buying programs, educational resources, and advocacy services. The core offerings include SUN Solar Co-ops (member-driven groups of ~100 neighbors), Switch Together (partnered with iChoosr, organizing hundreds of neighbors), Ready, Set Solar! (self-service with virtual community support), and Neighbors Co-ops (volunteer-led groups). Supporting services include the Solar Help Desk, Community Solar Program for those who cannot install rooftop panels, and SUN Action for policy advocacy. The organization helps consumers understand solar options, provides vendor-neutral guidance, and facilitates bulk purchasing for discounted solar installations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Switch Together: Group buying program for solar installations run in partnership with iChoosir, organizing hundreds of neighbors to go solar together with expert support through each stage of the process.
• Ready, Set, Solar!
• SUN Solar Co-ops
• Neighbors Co-ops
• SUN Action

Products and services

• SUN Solar Co-ops Member-driven groups of approximately 100 neighbors organized by Solar United Neighbors. Members receive competitive pricing through bulk purchasing power and ongoing support from SUN staff, with each member signing their own individual contract for solar installation. Open to residential, business, government, and nonprofit participants.
• Switch Together A group buying program operated in partnership with iChoosr that organizes hundreds of neighbors to go solar together. Provides expert support through each stage of the solar process, including free assessments, discounted installations through reverse auctions, and ongoing installation support.
• Ready, Set, Solar! A self-service program providing tools and resources to go solar with guidance from SUN staff and a virtual community of participants also going solar.
• Neighbors Co-ops Volunteer-led solar groups where volunteers lead and organize neighbors to install rooftop solar together. SUN trains and supports Co-op Leads and shares resources throughout the process.
• Solar Help Desk A free resource providing expert solar support and answers to questions about going solar, helping consumers understand solar options and technology before, during, and after installation via email and phone support.
• Community Solar Program A program enabling individuals who cannot install panels on their home or business to subscribe to a share in a community solar project and receive credits on their electricity bill for the energy produced by their share. SUN's Community Solar Directory lists subscriber organizations by state and utility territory.
• Plug-in Solar Campaign An advocacy campaign promoting portable solar panels that plug into any outlet — no roof, no contractor, no red tape — combined with legislative advocacy to make plug-in solar legal in states where it is not yet permitted.
• SUN Action Policy advocacy and citizen lobbying efforts to fight for solar rights, fair energy policies, and expanded solar access at the state and federal level, including coordination of Solar Action Teams and the National Solar Activist Network.
• Solar Resources and Guides Educational materials library including the Solar FAQ, SRECs factsheet, how to spot solar scams, how to address problems with your solar installer, solar and storage pairing, HOA Solar Action Guide, and the Solar Advocate Citizen Lobbying Guide, supporting informed consumer adoption.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average discount of $6,958 per solar installation through Switch Together/Solarize reverse auctions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• iChoosrcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSUN partners with iChoosr to operate the Switch Together program, which organizes hundreds of neighbors to go solar together through group buying. iChoosr provides the platform and program infrastructure; SUN provides community organizing, consumer advocacy support, and local market expertise. Switch Together is a key program in SUN's portfolio across multiple states.
• League of Women VotersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSUN has partnered with the League of Women Voters at multiple locations across the U.S. for community solar co-op outreach and education. The League's involvement lends credibility and trust to SUN's co-op programs. This partnership is referenced in Florida (Key West co-op) and other communities as a key trust-building relationship.
• City of AlexandriaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe City of Alexandria partnered with SUN to offer the Switch Together heat pump group buying program to city residents, running through May 27, 2026. The city provides official endorsement and outreach to residents; SUN provides the group buying infrastructure and program management. Residents receive up to 15% discount on heat pump installations through this partnership.

Scale indicators24 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• EnergySage: Largest US online solar marketplace where consumers compare installer quotes and receive vendor-neutral guidance. Competes for the same 'shopper finds trusted installer' use case as SUN's Solar Help Desk and Switch Together, at greater scale and with venture backing.
• Sunrun: Largest US residential solar installer and lease/PPA originator. Overlaps with SUN on rooftop residential solar consumers but competes by selling its own offering rather than facilitating vendor-neutral procurement.
• Tesla Energy: Operates Tesla solar roof and retrofit solar plus Powerwall nationally with direct-to-consumer ordering. Competes for SUN's homeowners segment via a fully integrated product and direct sales channel.
• SunPower: Established national residential and commercial solar installer. Overlaps with SUN's mission to expand residential solar adoption through installer-direct channels rather than community-led group buying.

Direct peers

• GRID Alternatives: National 501(c)(3) nonprofit delivering no-cost residential solar to income-qualified households through workforce development. Most directly comparable to SUN on nonprofit solar access mission and installer coordination, though focused on low-income rather than open-market group buying.
• iChoosr: Group-buying platform operator that runs Switch Together alongside Solar United Neighbors in the US and similar collective purchasing programs in Europe. Directly comparable as a technology and program infrastructure partner for community solar/heat pump buying.
• Vote Solar: National 501(c)(3) advocacy organization focused on pro-solar state and federal policy. Closely comparable on the advocacy/education/regulatory side of SUN's portfolio (SUN Action), though Vote Solar does not run consumer-facing group purchasing.

Others

• Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA): National solar trade association representing installers and manufacturers. Adjacent as the leading solar-industry advocacy body that SUN's state advocacy efforts often align with, but represents industry rather than consumers.
• Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC): Nonprofit focused on regulatory and workforce pathways for clean energy adoption. Adjacent to SUN's advocacy work on interconnection, net metering, and community solar rules; complements rather than competes with SUN's consumer-side mission.

Emerging players

• BrightSaver: Solar advocacy technology platform co-founded by Cora Stryker; SUN leadership (Anya Schoolman) has spoken alongside BrightSaver on plug-in solar. Comparable as an emerging player that combines consumer education with policy advocacy aimed at expanding distributed solar access.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses6 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/solarneighbors
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SolarUnitedNeighbors
• Facebookfacebook.com/solarunitedneighbors
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/solar-united-neighbors
• Instagraminstagram.com/solarunitedneighbors

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Solar United Neighbors