Space Coast Solar Co-op

Imagine walking into a solar company’s office with 50 or 100 of your neighbors and saying, “We all want to get solar. What kind of deal can you give us?”

That’s a solar co-op! Solar United Neighbors (SUN) is a non-profit organization that is bringing together Brevard County residents to join the growing solar movement.
Through this group effort, SUN will assist Co-op members to better understand solar energy and obtain affordable solar panel and installation pricing through a competitive bid process. Interested Co-op members will also have an opportunity to sit on the bid selection committee.
If you choose to join the Co-op there is no obligation to move forward with installing solar panels on your property. There are currently 200 openings in the Space Coast Solar Co-op, and and it is FREE to sign up! The Co-op will close to new members on January 8, 2021.

Solar Energy Resources:

US Department of Energy
Solar United Neighbors

Rain barrels painted to say love our lagoon

Show your love for the lagoon by installing a rain barrel!

Why Rain Barrels?

The average rainfall in Brevard County is 54 inches per year, that's 16 inches above the national average! Due to impervious surfaces, most of this rain becomes stormwater runoff that empties into storm drains and flows into ponds, canals or the Indian River Lagoon.
Did you know that a 40 foott by 80 foot roof will produce over 100,000 gallons of runoff per year? By installing a rain barrel or system of rain barrels, you can capture water from your roof and use it to water the lawn and garden or even fill a bird bath.
Example: The average rainfall in the month of April is 2.1 inches. A 40 foot by 80 foot roof will produce 4,189 gallons of runoff, that's 76 55-gallon rain barrels worth of water!

Wondering if a rain barrel is the right choice for you? Watch the recording of the Virtual Rain Barrel Workshop hosted by the Marine Resources Council and the City of Cocoa Beach Sustainability Committee to learn more about installing rain barrels and their positive impacts!

Fall Into Fertilizer

Did you know that City of Cocoa Beach has adopted an ordinance banning the use of fertilizer from June 1st to September 30th every year? This ban is to help protect our waterways from harmful fertilizer runoff during the rainy season.
Now that the seasonal ban has passed, there are a few things to keep in mind as you fertilize your lawn this fall:

Think twice before fertilizing! If you are a reclaimed water customer, keep in mind that reclaimed water already contains many nutrients that your lawn needs. Only add fertilizer if absolutely necessary.
Only use fertilizer with 50% slow release nitrogen, this will reduce the number of fertilizer applications needed.
DO NOT fertilize within 10 foot of any water body.
A voluntary 25 foot fertilizer free zone is encouraged on any property boarding the Banana River Lagoon.
Blow your grass clippings back into your lawn or dispose of properly in a yard waste bag.

flyer for maritime hammock preserve invasive plant workday october 17th at 9am