Virginia launches program to lower solar panel costs
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Solar United Neighbors launched Switch Together in Virginia, a program that groups residents together to lower the price of rooftop solar panels.
Governor Abigail Spanberger’s office encouraged the nonprofit to expand the program statewide as energy bills rise in Virginia, a hub for data centers. The program works by allowing pre-vetted installers to buy equipment in bulk and pass the savings on to customers.
Switch Together also offers residents access to discounted home batteries, electric vehicle chargers, and heat pumps in certain areas. Solar United Neighbors expects the program to generate requests for information from 5,000 households and result in around 500 signed contracts this year. These installations could collectively create almost 4 megawatts of solar power and reduce the average household's annual utility bill by $2,200.
Residents can save 20% to 30% on installation costs through the program, a benefit that comes after federal tax credits for renewable energy investments were eliminated.
