Just announced: Solarize Loudoun campaign 2016: Affordable Solar to reduce your energy costs.

Loudoun County Joining Solarize NoVA Campaign

The Loudoun County government is partnering with the Northern Virginia
Regional Commission (NVRC) and the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP)
to promote the use of solar power in Loudoun County homes and business.
The Solarize NOVA program launches in Loudoun County on October 1, 2016.

Solarize NOVA is a grassroots, community-based outreach initiative sponsored by
NVRC and LEAP that aims to make solar power more accessible and
affordable. The program offers a one-stop-shop for community members to
learn more about solar power options for their homes and businesses, and
facilitate the installation and financing of their own project. Through
bulk purchasing and free solar site assessments, Solarize NOVA puts
solar within reach.

Now through November 30, Loudoun County residents can utilize Solarize NOVA
to learn more about solar power options specific to their homes and
take advantage of a streamlined installation and financing process. A
complimentary home energy checkup is also being offered as a part of
this program.

Three Solarize NOVA workshops have been scheduled for Loudoun area residents
and business owners who are interested in learning more about their
solar and reduced-pricing options. The workshops are free and open to
the public and will be held on the following dates:

• Tuesday, October 25, 2016; 6:30 p.m. – Gum Spring Library, 24600 Millstream Drive, Stone Ridge
• Monday, November 7, 2016; 6:30 p.m. – Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls
• Tuesday, November 22, 2016; 6:30 p.m. – Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, N.W., Leesburg

“We encourage members of the Loudoun community to take advantage of this
program by considering solar energy and finding out whether your home or
business is a good candidate for solar,” said Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis J. Randall, who is also a NVRC Commissioner. “This program may help lower energy
costs by increasing our use of efficient, renewable energy sources.”

Reasons to Solarize your house or commercial property include:

· It’s More Affordable than Ever: The 30% federal tax credit has been extended through 2019, and Solarize NOVA adds more discounts. When community residents rally behind solar,
local installers are able to offer lower prices to Solarize participants
through bulk purchasing, reduced travel, and offset marketing costs.
Prices are expected to be discounted 15 to 18%. Also, LEAP will help
participants access the 30% federal tax credit and navigate the Solar
Renewable Energy Credit market.

· Higher Home Values: Recent studies have shown that homes with solar are appraised with a premium
of 3 to 6% based on the region, with a price boost of about $10,000-$22,000.

· Rising Energy Costs: The Energy Information Administration projects a 2% annual rise in
residential energy rates for the mid-Atlantic. Solar customers regularly
see an 8% or better return on investment.

· Curiosity Never Hurts: Solarize NOVA offers free solar site assessments to help you figure out if solar
is even right for your home or business (taking into consideration roof
space/position and tree cover), and budget.

Loudoun joins other jurisdictions where LEAP has implemented successful
Solarize programs, including Leesburg and Purcellville and Alexandria,
Dumfries, Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, Herndon, Vienna, City of
Falls Church, City of Fairfax, Nelson County, and the nine-county
territory served by the Piedmont Environmental Council.

Loudoun area residents or business owners who are interested in learning more
about their solar and reduced rate financing options should visit www.solarizeloudoun.org.

Hon. Laurie DiRocco, Chairman, Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC)
“As the Mayor of the Town of Vienna we have been pleased to participate
twice in the Solarize NoVA campaign. It has been a great success and I
am pleased we are able to expand the program further with our neighbors
in Loudoun County.”

Robert W. Lazaro, Jr., Acting Executive Director, Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC)
“Solarize NOVA has been an overwhelming success and has increased the
amount of solar by more than 6% in the Commonwealth as compared to 2013.
Helping residents reduce their home energy use through efficiency and
produce their own renewable energy is a win-win for all.”