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Fairfax County’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC) invites students to showcase how they are taking action for our planet in the Sustain Fairfax Earth Month Youth Art Contest. This contest celebrates the real, climate‑friendly steps young people are taking and how those actions benefit our environment and community. It connects directly to the Sustain Fairfax Challenge, an online platform where residents track and share their climate actions.Participants will fall into one of three categories, grades 4-6, grades 7-8, and grades 9-12. Students can submit original artwork, including designs, photographs, or drawings, to inspire residents to complete climate actions in our community. The winning artwork will be used on OEEC’s marketing and promotional materials and may be shared in places such as on social media, websites, in email, and on in-person platforms (i.e. flyers, posters, giveaways, etc.). Students can submit original artwork reflecting the theme: “My Actions, Our Climate.” Posters should be submitted digitally or mailed to the OEEC office by May 15 at 4 p.m. Winners will be notified in May or early June 2026.Theme: “My Action, Our Climate” – submissions shall note completed climate action(s) and the impacts of the actions (environmental, monetary, energy savings, etc.) as noted on the Sustain Fairfax Challenge platform.Eligibility: Students residing and attending school in Fairfax County, including private, parochial and homeschool studentsCategories: grades 4-6, grades 7-8, grades 9-12Prizes: $25 gift card and certificate of recognition for winners in each category. There may be one honorable mention selection picked from any of the categories that will receive the same prize.Submission Deadline: Friday, May 15, 2026, by 4 p.m. Let your creativity shine and show how your actions make a difference—submit your artwork and help inspire climate action across Fairfax County.For more information about the contest, including submission guidelines and entry requirements, go to Sustain Fairfax Earth Month Youth Art Contest. Please contact OEEC Staff at 703-324-7136, TTY 711 or email OEECInfo@fairfaxcounty.gov for assistance. Enter Art Contest
Two regional group purchasing programs, Solarize Virginia and Switch Together, are making it easier and more affordable for homeowners to go solar while navigating a rapidly changing energy landscape.Solarize Virginia is a long-running, education-focused campaign led by local nonprofit Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) that helps Virginians explore rooftop solar through free assessments, trusted information, vetted installers and pre-negotiated pricing.Switch Together is a group buying program offered by national nonprofit Solar United Neighbors that secures discounted solar, battery storage, and EV chargers through a competitive reverse auction, giving residents below-market pricing and free, no-obligation recommendations.Residents who join either program can get a free assessment and take advantage of discounted rates, access to trusted installers, educational events and ongoing support throughout the process to ensure a seamless experience — from the initial consultation to installation. Registration is free and there’s no obligation to accept an offer.“Solar is one of the most practical tools we have to help households lower their bills, strengthen the reliability of our energy system, and cut greenhouse gas emissions at the same time,” said John Morrill, Director of the Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination. “Group purchasing programs take the guesswork out of going solar. They give residents trusted information, vetted installers, and real cost savings — all while helping Fairfax County and the region move toward a cleaner, more resilient energy future.” Solarize Virginia Solarize Virginia is back for its 12th year, offering a simple path forward for homeowners to learn about and go solar. Since 2014, more than 1,700 systems have been installed through the program — adding over 16,000 kilowatt hours of clean energy to the grid.Homeowners who sign up are paired with vetted installers who offer discounted prices. For the first time, participants will have the option this year to purchase their system outright or lease the system to get the benefit of lower energy bills with little to no upfront costs.This year’s campaign will also place special emphasis on addressing common questions about incentives, financing options amid federal changes, grid policies and the long-term benefits of solar energy systems. Throughout the campaign, LEAP will host informational webinars, community events, and one-on-one consultations on how solar works, financing and ownership options and net metering policies. “Homeowners are hearing a lot about solar right now, from changing federal incentives to evolving utility policies,” said Deborah Arenstein, Solar Program Manager at LEAP. “Our goal with this year’s Solarize Virginia campaign is to cut through the noise and help residents understand what their options are.”From April 15 through July 15, Fairfax County residents can sign up for free solar assessments and get information about webinars and other educational opportunities by visiting www.solarizeva.org. Switch TogetherSwitch Together is a group buying program which not only makes rooftop solar installations more affordable but also makes home battery storage and EV chargers easier to access. A companion Switch Together Heat Pumps program launched this year to give residents another opportunity to save money and be more energy efficient.To date, over 16,600 households have accepted an offer through Switch Together. Through the current program, the average household is expected to save $6,323 on a solar installation — 21% lower than the market average.The program organizes a reverse auction with qualified installers who compete to offer their most competitive prices, ensuring participants receive a discount on a high-quality solar installation. Participants in the program also have the option to lease rather than buy the system. The program also offers robust solar education through online resources and in-person events. "With utility rates rising across the country, many families are feeling the squeeze on their monthly budgets," said Sukrit Mishra, Solar United Neighbors DC Program Director. “Switch Together is designed to give neighbors a way to fight back. By going solar as a group, residents can lock in lower energy costs and protect themselves from the unpredictability of future rate hikes."Fairfax County homeowners can register or learn more at SwitchTogether.com/Solar/FairfaxCounty. The final day to register and accept a personal recommendation is August 19.Fairfax County also offers incentives for solar, such as waived permit fees and a 5-year solar energy equipment property tax exemption. Visit Going Solar in Fairfax County to learn more.About the Local Energy Alliance Program The Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Charlottesville, VA. As a trusted nonprofit, LEAP delivers energy-efficient solutions in Virginia to make homes safer, healthier, and more affordable, while reducing energy usage and mitigating climate change. About Solar United Neighbors Solar United Neighbors is a national nonprofit organization that represents the needs and interests of solar owners and supporters. Bulk purchase programs, like Switch Together, are part of the organization’s mission to create a new energy system with rooftop solar at the cornerstone. Solar United Neighbors holds events and education programs to help people become informed solar consumers, maximize the value of their solar investment, and advocate for fair solar policies.
Fairfax County is promoting a new way for area homeowners to save money on their electric bills: Switch Together Heat Pumps. Known for their successful solar programs, Switch Together is now helping Fairfax County residents electrify their homes with efficient heat pump technology. Heat pumps provide energy‑efficient heating and cooling year-round, helping lower your bills, modernize your home, and improve reliability and performance — making them a smart choice for sustainable living. If your HVAC system or water heater is at or near end of life, it is worth exploring a heat pump replacement.The Switch Together Heat Pump program is provided by national nonprofit Solar United Neighbors and promoted by Fairfax County and other cities and counties in the DMV area and throughout the United States. Switch Together also offers a group buying program for high-quality solar panels and battery storage. “Heat pumps are a great way to use the electricity solar panels generate,” said Sukrit Mishra, Solar United Neighbors DMV Program Director. “Working through Switch Together, participants can learn about both technologies, how they can lower energy bills, and if making the switch is right for them.”How Does it Work?The program organizes qualified contractors who compete to offer their most competitive prices for installing an efficient heat pump system. Households that participate in the current heat pump program are expected to receive an average discount of 15% compared to the standard market price for heat pump installations. In addition to this group discount, households may qualify for available heat pump incentives, further increasing potential savings.How You Can ParticipateVisit SwitchTogether.com/HeatPumps/FairfaxCounty to register or learn more. Participants will receive a free personal offer upon registering. It is free to register and there is no obligation to accept an offer. The final day to register and accept a personal offer is Wednesday, May 27, 2026.