100 New Solar Installations through “Solarize Charlottesville”

More than 1,100 homeowners applied to program; 550 kW under contract

February 10, 2015 — A total of 1,180 Charlottesville homeowners applied for the first-ever Solarize Charlottesville program last summer, and now 100 contracts totaling 550 kW of electricity and valued at more than$1,700,000 have been signed. Solarize NOVA, sponsored by the Local Energy Alliance Program, City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County and UVA Community Credit Union, offered bulk purchasing discounts and free solar site assessments. About 300 site assessments have been conducted with the two local contractors AltEnergy and Sigora Solar.

• The program’s popularity comes as a new study found solar installations increased a home’s resale value.
• Residential solar power has surged in recent years, with solar power making up 36 percent of new generating capacity in 2014 – second only to natural gas.
• A new solar project was completed every 2.5 minutes in 2014.
• A number of solar-related bills are before Virginia’s General Assembly this session and underscore the demand across the state.