August 8, 2025 

Thank you for signing up to learn more about this project. This newsletter will serve as a resource for project details, relevant stories, and ways to stay engaged. Check out the information below and stay tuned for more.  

Project Updates

SEAP+ Implementation Set to Launch in Fall 2025

Please keep your eyes open for information on the Strategic Energy Action Plan (SEAP+) next steps coming in Fall 2025. Stay tuned for information on this transformative journey towards a more sustainable and energy-efficient future. For more information, visit www.publicinput.com/charlotteseap.  Need a reminder on our goals?  See the video below!  

SEAP+ Overview Video 

Related Events and Opportunities 

Heat Action Survey: Support Heat Action by sharing your experiences with extreme heat! If you live, work, or spend time in Mecklenburg County, your input is needed! Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, and the Charlotte Heat Mappers want to hear about your experiences with extreme heat. Your feedback in this 5-minute survey will shape a county-wide heat planning effort to help address extreme heat for you, your family, and your community. Link to survey  

Solarize Charlotte-Mecklenburg sign ups are now open:  Solarize Charlotte Mecklenburg is a limited-time campaign designed to make solar energy and battery storage more affordable and accessible for residents and small businesses in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area. By leveraging group purchasing power, the program significantly reduces installation costs and passes those savings on to participants.

One of the most innovative features of the campaign is its tiered pricing structure, which rewards greater community participation:

• As more households sign contracts to go solar, the price per watt decreases for everyone.

• Pricing is pre-negotiated with a competitively selected installer, RENU Energy Solutions, ensuring high quality and transparency.

• Once the campaign ends, all participants will pay the final price based on the total kilowatts (kW) contracted across the group—not just their individual system size.

How the Tiered Pricing System Works:

• Group Discount Model: All participants are part of a collective purchasing group. The more solar capacity that’s contracted, the lower the cost per watt becomes for everyone.

• Predefined Pricing Tiers: For example:

• Tier 1: 0–50 kW

• Tier 2: 51–100 kW

• Tier 3: 101–150 kW, and so on

• As the campaign crosses each new tier threshold, everyone benefits from a lower price.

• Final Pricing Is Set at the End: Regardless of when a participant signs up, they all receive the lowest final tier price achieved by the group.

• Built-In Incentive: The more people who participate, the lower the cost for everyone—encouraging community outreach and collaboration.

How to Sign Up and What to Expect

1. Sign Up for a Free Evaluation

   • Interested residents or businesses can visit the website to sign up for a free, no-obligation evaluation.

   • This initial step simply expresses interest and allows the installer to begin reviewing the property.

2. Site Evaluation & Proposal

   • RENU will conduct a customized site assessment to determine solar feasibility, system size, and potential savings.

3. Review & Sign Contract

   • If the property qualifies, participants receive a personalized proposal and contract with the program’s tiered pricing.

   •  There’s no pressure to commit, and participants can opt in or out after receiving the proposal.

4. Installation & Final Pricing

   • Installations take place during the campaign period. When the program ends, all participants pay the final price based on the total group enrollment, not when they signed their contract.

Find more information, including campaign events, key deadlines, and benefits, here:

Solarize Charlotte Mecklenburg Program Website

2nd Annual Food Sustainability Summit is here and sign ups are open:

Mark your calendars for Charlotte’s Food Sustainability Summit coming up in September! More than just an event, this is a supercharged, feel-good mission to tackle food insecurity and have a fantastic time doing it. Register today

Local Resources and Stories

Why Charlotte’s Urban Heat Varies by Tree Cover - WCNC Article June 26, 2025: Charlotte’s hottest neighborhoods lack trees. Experts say more canopy could cool temps by up to 20 degrees. TreesCharlotte is working to fix the urban heat divide. Read more here 

A Collaborative Effort with UNC Charlotte and Local Nonprofits - WCNC Article July 18, 2025:

Urban areas are experiencing a rise in the number of hot summer days. This article details the City's collaboration with UNC Charlotte and local non-profits to address this issue. Read more here

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