SWFL Solar Co-op selects company for installation

O rganized through nonprofit group S olar U nited Neighbors, the Southwest Florida 2023 Solar Co-op recently selected the Florida Solar Design Group to install solar panels for the 63-member group

SUN reported that the co-op members selected the company through a competitive bidding process over seven other firms The ability of Florida Solar Design Group's equipment to withstand hurricane-force winds was top of mind for the committee members following the devastation of Hurricane Ian

In addition, the co-op members selected the Fort Myers-based installer because of the quality of equipment offerings wind ratings and efficiency along with local experience and price

SUN expands access to solar by educating Lee and Collier county residents and businesses about the benefits of distributed solar energy, helping them organize group solar installations, and strengthening local solar policies and its community of solar supporters Co-op member- ship will close on April 30

The co-op is free to join and joining is not a commitment to purchase solar equipment

SUN will host a free information session about solar energy and the co-op, “Florida Solar 101,” virtually on April 6 from 6 to 7:30 p m To register, visit solarunitedneighbors.org/swfl.

SUN has hosted 78 co-ops in Florida since 2015

According to its estimates, the 2,373 homes and businesses that now have solar panels because of co-ops represent: 23 5 thousand kW of solar power, $56 million in local solar spending, and more than 709 8 million pounds of lifetime carbon offsets

kiwanis Club still taking scholarship applications

The Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club is accepting scholarship applications for the 2023-24 school year

Scholarships in varying amounts are available

Eligible applicants of any age must be a Sanibel-Captiva resident, employed full-time on the islands, or a family member of such and attending a college for an undergraduate degree or attending a vocational school Considerations will be given to the unique circumstances due to Hurricane Ian

The club collects the applications and an independent committee makes the selection

Applications must be submitted by March 31

They can be obtained at SanibelKiwanis org or by contacting M J Hays at 239-579-0660 or mj@sanibelinsurance com, Bill Traum at 239-671-0155 or billtraum@me com, Chris Heidrick at 239-579-0660 or chris@sanibelinsurance com or Emily Ankerson at 802598-5194 or emily ankerson@ccaptiva org

Coastline Cottage

Home Watch ear ns accreditation

Coastline Cottage Home

W a t c h r e c e n t l y e a r n e d a c c r e d i t a t i o n f r o m t h e N a t i o n a l H o m e W a t c h

A s s o c i a t i o n f o r t h e s i x t h year

Business Notes Kiwanis

T a n i b e l - C a p t i v a K i w a n i s C l u b r e c e n t l y announced its newest member

Emily Ankerson has been sponsored by Angi SemlerWelch

For more information, visit www sanibelkiwanis org

Rec center adds to Hall of Sponsors

M c C a l l i o n & M c C a l l i o n h a s j o i n e d t h e S a n i b e l

Recreation Center's Hall of Sponsors as sponsors

Proceeds from sponsor signs financially assist parents, grandparents and legal custodians who qualify for their children to attend the: after-school program; summer day, winter and spring break camps; fun days; babysitter traini n g c a m p ; b a s k e t b a l l l e a g u e ; v o l l e y b a l l c a m p ; a n d

Counselor In Training (C I T ) programs at the center

A printout of all the sponsors can also be obtained at t h e c e n t e r ' s r e c e p t i o n c o u n t e r o r b y v i s i t i n g https://files.constantcontact.com/97af97e6001/51af58d 4-47d6-4372-932a-fc131961dce7 pdf

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , c a l l v o l u n t e e r s p o n s o r

Chairperson Barry Alan Roth at 239-313-9591

T h e a s s o c i a t i o n w a s formed in 2009 in order to establish and maintain the highest industry standards for Home Watch and absent e e h o m e o w n e r s e r v i c e s throughout the United States and Canada

Coastline Cottage Home Watch owner Karen Curtin has earned the designation of Certified Home Watch Professional, and she is a graduate of the association's Home Watch Boot Camp

Coastline Cottage Home Watch serves Sanibel and Fort Myers

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t w w w f a c e b o o k com/cchomewatcher or contact Curtin at 239-771-3125 or at cchomewatcher@gmail.com.

Trust Company to present final speaker

The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company will host the final event of its 2023 Fort Myers Speaker Series on April 4 at 10 a m at the Event Center, at 1901 Brantley Road, Suite 7, Fort Myers.

Led by Aysegul Timur, vice president and vice provost for strategy and program innovation at Florida Gulf Coast University, the program is “The Past, Present and Future of Southwest Florida ” Also a member of

SANIBEL & CAPTIVA ISLANDS ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

SCIAR releases monthly repor t

The Sanibel and Captiva Islands Association of Realtors released its market report for the islands for February. The figures are based on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) as of March 10.