Vallarie Reilly didn’t expect her neighbors to be so interested in the construction project at her house in Varina. Motorists drove by slowly and rolled down their windows to comment on the crowd of people in her yard watching a crew install solar panels on her roof.
When neighbors stopped to ask why she decided to get solar panels, Reilly shared that she had qualified for a cost- and liability-free program and encouraged them to see if they were also eligible.
Reilly is the first resident to receive solar panels through Solar Access Henrico, a new program offered by the county in partnership with Dominion Energy Solutions. The program provides eligible homeowners with access to more sustainable technologies while saving money on utility bills and reducing the community’s environmental impact.
Reilly happily shared why she wanted to participate. “One, of course, that it’s free. Two, it’s leaving a minimal footprint, so my grandbabies will have cleaner air to breathe. And three, a reduction of my bill,” she said. “Anytime you can reduce a bill, that’s a win-win.”
Her system includes 20 solar panels, which are expected to decrease her current monthly electricity bill by an average of 86%.
Solar Access Henrico is the only locally funded solar program in Virginia, according to Dominion Energy Solutions.
“We’re the only place in the Commonwealth where we were directly involved in making sure that low or minimal-income residents have access to this type of program,” Varina District Supervisor Tyrone E. Nelson said. “We do a lot of firsts here, and this is one that I’m super proud of.”
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Live in Henrico
- Be a homeowner
- Have a household income at or below the area’s median income
- Have a home deemed suitable for solar based on its exposure to sunlight, condition of the roof and other conditions
For qualified applicants, the average time between sign-up and the completion of installation is about six to eight weeks. Homeowners will speak with a Dominion Energy Solutions advisor who will design a system for each house. Dominion will handle acquiring building permits and organizing a site survey of the home. Installation usually takes one day, and households start seeing savings on their monthly electricity bills within the first few months.
A solar panel system typically lasts for about 25 years. Contracts under the Solar Access Henrico program have a 25-year warranty, which means the homeowner is not liable for any maintenance or repair to the system.
Dominion Energy Solutions has offered solar systems in Virginia since 2016 but also recognizes that the costs of installation can be an impediment for many homeowners.
“Our typical business model is a for-profit business. In this case, we get to give back to the communities that need it most,” Dominion Energy Solutions Manager Eric Weissbart said.
Solar Access Henrico is part of the county’s expanding effort to promote environmental sustainability. It started with county facilities – for example, using ecofriendly construction practices and water-efficient plumbing. Currently, 11 facilities capture solar power to support their energy use.
The effort is now reaching residents and community organizations. Henrico’s Environmental Action Resource Team awarded its first grants to local organizations to help fund community projects, such as litter collection and training for beekeeping.
Solar Access Henrico is supported by a $5 million grant that is expected to deliver solar panel installation on as many as 250 homes. Incorporating environmental practices in everything from large public buildings to homes will benefit everybody in the community, Sustainability Division Director Samantha Hudson said.
“I am most excited about all of the positive environmental benefits that come with renewable energy,” she said. “So these panels will help our residents to improve our air quality or reduce air pollution. It also helps our residents to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. And so overall, renewable energy is a critical part of how we fight climate change.”
To learn more about the program and to check eligibility, visit https://henrico.gov/genserv/solar-access-henrico/
