Thinking about going solar but not sure where to start? You’re not alone. Many Fairfax County residents have already made the switch and are seeing the benefits in their homes and on their energy bills.
Don’t take our word for it! Hear directly from your neighbors about why they chose solar, what the installation process was like, and how it’s changed their energy use and costs. Their experiences can help you decide if solar is right for you.
Vienna | Switch Together participant in 2025
Why Ellen Went Solar
I first heard about Switch Together through a letter I got in the mail. It wasn’t a solicitation — it had the Fairfax County seal — and that made a big difference to me. I’ve gotten a lot of sales pitches over the years, but knowing the county was supporting this program made me feel comfortable. I also liked that I didn’t have to go through multiple bids or vet contractors myself. The volume discount made the pricing attractive, and a neighbor in my homeowners association (HOA) already had panels so that made it feel more realistic. It was also nice to get the 30% tax credit that went away in 2026.
For me, it wasn’t just about cost. It felt like a meaningful way to support the planet. As a high school economics and personal finance teacher, the timing was perfect. I ended up using my own solar project in class to help students understand how home improvements work, to determine property values, and to figure out how county, state, and federal incentives fit together. Since many of them are English language learners, it sparked great conversation about tax credits, tax abatements, and how utilities work in the United States.
Her Switch Together Experience
Switch Together made the whole process much easier. I tell people that even if they’re unsure, it’s worth exploring because the program simplifies things. It was also helpful to read testimonials from other participants across Virginia.
While my salesperson struggled a bit with communication, the vendor’s staff were responsive, and the installation team was excellent—tidy, timely, and professional. Other than a small delay finishing drywall in my garage, everything went smoothly. My system was fully installed by early December and turned on a couple of weeks later, and I’ve had no issues since.
Impact on Energy Bill
I’ve become much more aware of my energy use. I actually enjoy checking how much power I’m producing versus using now. My system has 26 panels and generates about 10–11 kilowatts of clean energy. Since installation, I’ve been at essentially net-zero electricity cost. I still pay the basic connection fee of less than $10, but the Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) I earn help offset costs. Switch Together also made choosing an SREC option simple. I went with direct deposit reimbursement through the open market and it’s been great.
Now that I understand the process firsthand, I’m much more engaged in conversations and political advocacy around clean energy and how the electricity market is evolving.
Ellen's Advice for Other Residents
Solar is a great idea, but there are many options, and it can be hard to sort through them. That’s why Switch Together is so helpful. My home is in an HOA, and the proposal handled all the HOA requirements smoothly. Another neighbor in my HOA, who’s a lawyer, had already gone through the process of getting solar and researched the laws, so the groundwork was already laid. For most residents, having a vetted contractor and a streamlined process makes things much easier.
What's Next
Over the next few years, I hope to replace my windows to be more energy efficient, since my house is about 30 years old. I might consider adding battery storage once prices come down, after I see a few years of solar production, I think it will be easier to make that decision.
Fairfax County (Alexandria) | Solarize Virginia participant in 2025
Why Beth Went Solar
Knowing the federal tax benefit was expiring at the end of 2025, and seeing Fairfax County’s annual ‘solar season,’ I decided it was the right time to go solar. I first heard about Solarize Virginia through a Facebook post and clicked the ‘Learn more’ button—that’s what started the whole process.
Her Solarize Virginia Experience
After I reached out to Solarize Virginia, they connected me with a recommended installer. The associate began with an overhead analysis using drone or satellite images to see how much sun my roof gets. Then we had an in person visit where they explained the system design, installation timeline, and which parts of the process they’d handle—from permits to coordinating with my HOA and following up on approvals.
There are several steps—assessment, scheduling, installation, inspections, and final approval—and it can take a few months. As long as you stay engaged and let the process unfold, it’s very manageable.
Results on Bills and Energy Use
For the last couple of months, my electric bill has been just $8.14, which is essentially the basic connection fee to the grid. During very hot weather, my home’s energy use can outpace what the panels generate, but when production is higher than use in other parts of the year, I earn credits. Those credits help balance things out during high use periods.
Beth’s Advice for Other Residents
It’s a process, and you do need to keep an eye on it to make sure things keep moving. From the initial assessment to approved operation can take a few months, so be patient and let each step move forward.
Next Steps on Efficiency and Sustainability
I chose not to purchase a battery right away because it was more expensive than the panels, but battery costs are dropping quickly. After I see a full year of solar production, I may add a battery in a couple of years.
With electricity prices rising, I highly recommend that anyone planning to stay in their home for several years consider adding solar. Every home that feeds the system helps reduce pressure on the grid.
Fairfax County resident (Seven Corners) | Solarize Virginia participant in 2024
Why Jim Went Solar
I’ve had solar on my to‑do list for years—I even used to work on solar power systems for spacecraft. What pushed me to move forward in 2024 was the uncertainty around Dominion’s full net‑metering beyond the end of 2024.
I found Solarize Virginia through Fairfax County’s website, along with another solar ‘matchmaker’ service. I chose Solarize Virginia because they connected me with installers without requiring a deposit just to have a conversation.
His Solarize Virginia Experience
Because my house is older and has a complex roof, I knew I didn’t want a discount, door‑to‑door type installer. Through Solarize Virginia, I was matched with a vetted commercial vendor who turned out to be excellent.
The installer was responsive but not pushy, and they took my technical questions seriously. The crew kept me informed and asked for my input on critical decisions—like where to route the power line through the house. They did a great job bringing 21st‑century technology to a very 20th‑century home.
Results on Bills and Comfort
Between the solar panels and my geothermal heat pump, my summer electric bill is now about half of what it used to be. The utility savings from solar and geothermal are similar, but the solar installation costs a lot less.
There’s a neat synergy: the panels intercept sunlight and convert it to electricity, which powers the heat pump. The heat pump then pulls the remaining heat out of the house and sends it underground. By coincidence, my annual solar generation is about the same as my HVAC usage, so in a sense ‘comfort is free’—I mainly pay for my other appliances.
Living with Solar and a Battery
I added a battery when the tax credit was sunsetting in 2025, and it’s been a major quality‑of‑life improvement. When the grid goes down, the power just blinks for a moment and the battery kicks in. I don’t have to worry about the fridge, cooking, or resetting everything—my home simply keeps running.
It’s quiet, unlike a generator, and it can also shift usage away from expensive times of day by charging when power is cheaper. It’s been a great complement to the solar panels.
Jim’s Advice for Other Residents
Of all the upgrades I’ve done or plan to do, solar has the best bang for the buck. It tackles the root of the problem—high energy costs—by letting you generate electricity on site, mostly with equipment that’s added to the outside of the house rather than requiring extensive demolition or construction.
My house isn’t perfectly suited for solar: trees and dormers mean my system only delivers about 60% of what the same number of panels could do on a clear, flat, south‑facing roof. I’m a little jealous of a neighbor whose summer bill dropped to $15. Even so, my system is on track to pay for itself in about 10 years on a service life of roughly 30 years.
Other Steps Toward Efficiency and Sustainability
Beyond solar, I’ve already added a battery and upgraded my HVAC to geothermal. I’m in the process of replacing old siding, roofing, and insulation, and when the time comes I plan to move to an EV, a heat pump water heater, and an induction cooktop.
