Oviedo affirms support for Seminole County's solar group-buy program; council notes no financial commitment

The Oviedo City Council on July 21 adopted Resolution 4626-25 expressing the city's support for the 2025 Seminole County "Switch Together" solar cooperative, a group-purchasing program organized by the nonprofit Solar United Neighbors. City staff said the city has supported the county co-op in prior years (2019 and 2022) and that the resolution requires no financial commitment from the city.

Megan McCollum, who addressed council during the public-comment period, described her 2017 experience using a previous Seminole County solar co-op and urged council to reaffirm Oviedo's support. "This vendor neutral nonprofit has a stellar record of empowering homeowners with expertly vetted installers and unbiased education," McCollum said, noting that participation is free and there is no obligation until a homeowner signs a contract. She told council that earlier county co-ops brought nearly $2,700,000 in local spending, created about 30 jobs and offset roughly 33,000,000 pounds of carbon, and she cited an Orlando program that had 1,474 registrants and 119 installations.

Council members asked whether the resolution would create an exclusive relationship; staff and the mayor confirmed it would not. The council approved the resolution on a unanimous roll call. Staff said the city's role is limited to sharing information and, if the city participates, a mailer would include the city logo to signal local support and encourage resident participation.