The county committee recommended a partnership to host up to three Solarize community events next year to promote rooftop solar for residents, businesses, nonprofits and places of worship.

Marshall (last name on record: Marshall) of the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA) and Nicole (presenter) described the Solarize program as a community education and group‑purchase approach that pairs a vetted solar contractor with interested property owners. "When we go from a county approach, it's everyone in Oakland County is eligible for these events," Marshall said. GLREA staff said the events are free, educational and optional; participants who sign up could receive a bulk‑purchase discount depending on the number of participants — staff estimated up to about 15 percent, depending on takeup.

The presenters emphasized that the program applies only to distributed rooftop (on‑site) solar installations and not to utility‑scale solar projects. The committee voted to recommend the partnership to the full board (6–0). Staff said the county will host up to three events to reduce travel time for residents across the county and to reach commercial and institutional building owners who remain eligible for federal tax incentives through 2027.

The county will publish program details and GLREA contact information to interested parties; GLREA provided a Michigan Solar Communities guidebook and direct contact information for further questions. The recommendation moves to the full board for final approval.