The Solarize NoVA program, led by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) and the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP), reached a significant milestone with a contract total of 1.5 megawatt of new solar with a construction value of over $4.7 million.
The Solarize NoVA program first launched in the fall of 2014. Over the past three years, more than 4,500 home and business owners have signed up expressing an interest in the program. To date, Solarize NoVA has signed 196 solar contracts. The rated power for these solar contracts is 1.5 MW, which is the equivalent of:
- 2,037,000 kWh of electricity generated
- 3,342,000 pounds of CO2 saved per year
- 1,659,000 pounds of coal saved
- 147,000 gallons of oil saved
Solarize NoVA has reached several localities in Northern Virginia including: the City of Alexandria, City of Fairfax, City of Falls Church, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Reston, Town of Dumfries, Town of Herndon, Town of Leesburg, Town of Purcellville, and Town of Vienna. In November 2017, Solarize NoVA placed first in a statewide leadership award from the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council (VAEEC).
“NVRC has been pleased to work with LEAP, our local government partners and the Piedmont Environmental Council to help promote solar in our region,” said Vienna Mayor and NVRC Chairman Laurie DiRocco. “We are so proud to achieve this significant milestone and help support the local solar industry in our Commonwealth. This program leverages the power of the marketplace; and provides residents and businesses a simple one-stop shopping experience to go solar. We look forward to getting to two megawatts.”
“The success of our Solarize NoVA and Solarize Piedmont campaigns speaks to the incredible partnerships we've developed with NVRC, local governments, and the Piedmont Environmental Council since 2014. Installing 1.5 megawatts is an amazing feat, and we're just getting started," said Lesley Fore, Executive Director of LEAP. "LEAP is proud to serve as a catalyst for more rooftop solar systems, more local jobs, and economic growth in northern Virginia. Helping home and business owners conserve and produce energy from a renewable resource is core to LEAP's mission and inevitably a benefit to us all. Join us in 2018 as we strive for 2 megawatts!”
For more information about Solarize NoVA, visit www.solarizenova.org.