Williamsburg and Virginia Beach residents forming co-op to go solar, install EV chargers together, get a discount
Neighbors from Williamsburg to Virginia Beach have formed a co-op to save money and make going solar and installing an EV charger easier, while building a network of solar supporters. The group will also help electric vehicle (EV) owners – and those interested in purchasing EVs – receive discounted pricing and unbiased, installer-neutral support on adding a Level 2 charger for their home or business. Level 2 chargers add up to 25 miles of driving range per hour of charge, three to six times more miles than the standard-issued Level 1 charger.
Co-op participants will be able to choose between installing solar, installing a Level 2 charger, or both. These chargers require installation by professional electricians and can be used for business or residential charging applications.
Drive Electric RVA, Sierra Club – Virginia Chapter, William and Mary Office of Sustainability, and Solar United Neighbors are the co-op sponsors. The group is seeking participants and will host two information meetings on Tuesday, May 21, at 6:30 p.m., at the Great Neck Recreation Center (2521 Shorehaven Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23454) and on Wednesday, May 22, at 6:30 p.m., at the Main Street Library (110 Main St, Newport News, VA 23601) to educate the community about solar and the co-op process.
“We’re forming this co-op to make saving money with solar and EV chargers energy as simple as possible,” said Ann Creasy of the Sierra Club. “Working with the group helps participants learn about the technology so they feel confident in their decision to go solar.”
Area residents interested in joining the co-op can sign up at the co-op web page. The solar co-op is free to join and joining the co-op is not a commitment to purchase panels and/or a Level 2 charger. Once the group is large enough, Solar United Neighbors will help the co-op solicit competitive bids from area solar installers.
“I am excited to work with Hampton Road residents to make the process of going solar or installing an electric vehicle charger easier,” said, Aaron Sutch, Solar United Neighbors of Virginia Program Manager. “If you’ve ever thought about going solar before, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.”
Co-op participants will select a single company to complete all of the installations. They will then have the option to purchase panels and/or a Level 2 charger individually based on the installer’s group rate. By going solar as a group and choosing a single installer, participants can save off the cost of going solar and have the guidance from the experts at Solar United Neighbors.