Are you angry about the rising costs of electricity because of the massive demand from data centers? One way to solve rising electricity bills is simply to make your own power with solar. You actually end up saving your neighbors money rather than costing them more like a data center. Solar is a good investment with a high ROI in most of the U.S. Many people, however, can be turned off by the high upfront cost. Residential systems, although better for the environment than big solar farms , cost more. Buying solar simply costs less when you buy in bulk. This is where the genius of Virginia’s new “ Switch Together ” plan comes in.

How Homeowners Buying Solar and Batteries in Bulk

Switch Together Virginia is a program for group buying of residential solar and batteries. The program is open to anyone in Northern Virginia, DC, Montgomery, Howard, Frederick, and Prince George’s counties. They organizes group purchasing of residential solar panels to help homeowners receive a significantly discounted price for a solar panel installation. Switch Together organizes a reverse-auction where vetted solar installers compete against each other to offer their best price. The winning offer will be made available for the homeowners that registered for the program.

Virginia is the First in the Nation to Buy Solar in Bulk

In the Virginia program, the decision is always the homeowners. Each homeowner after signing up can accept the offer to proceed, or can decline. There is no obligation to continue. If a homeowner chooses to accept an offer, he or she will be asked to pay a $150 deposit. Then when their family moves forward with a solar installation, the deposit will be fully refunded one month after the decision deadline. If the homeowners do not proceed with a solar installation, Switch Together will fully refund your deposit within 5-10 business days. Switch Together also has a heat pump program - and we know that is a big money saver for homeowners as well .

This idea has been floating around for a long time , will other states save their citizens money by following Virginia’s lead?