Eugene, Carrie, and Amy – Richmond, Virginia

September 19, 2017 Homeowner stories, Virginia

I say hi to my panels everyday! Installed while vacationing.

Eugene, Carrie, and Amy – Richmond, Virginia
Went solar with the Richmond Community Solar Co-op in 2016
System size: 3.99 kW, 14 solar panels

Why did you decide to go solar?

My wife and I care about the environment and want to decrease our carbon footprint and dependence on burning fossil fuels. We also wanted to generate our own energy for the sake of saving money down the line.

Why did you decide to go solar with the co-op?

Going solar is a big investment in money and time. I liked the fact that the co-op takes care of finding a quality installer with excellent pricing.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to go solar?

Don’t wait.  You can sit and wait for prices to drop, or newer fancier panels, but the fact is prices have already dropped a lot and the technology is always improving.  You can wait forever, or be gratified the instant you turn the system on.  Going solar now is a decision you won’t regret.

Has anything surprised you about going solar?

The whole process is surprisingly smooth.  The installers took care of all the paperwork and interacted with Dominion Power for us. We left town on vacation and the panels were up when we returned!

Do you have any data on your solar system’s performance?

So far we have generated over 2 MWh of electricity in six months.

How much was your electric bill before and after going solar?

The system has reduced our electricity consumption by ~60%.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

We love the solar panels.  When I get home I look up and say hello to them.  It’s so awesome that our house is helping the environment on its own.