According to Fairfax County News Online, residents around Fairfax Country have been forming co-ops to increase the amount of solar panel roofs on local homes.
The movement began last year with a group of religious congregations. The groups came together with the goal of educating themselves on the benefits of solar energy, cultivating new interest in solar roof options.
The All Dulles Area Muslim Society, Temple Rodef Shalom and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fairfax formed the Northern Virginia Interfaith Solar co-op because of Virginia's overall lack of energy efficient tax incentives. These incentives, as seen in states like Maryland and others close by, reduce expenses for those that install the solar roofs.
A co-op can reduce the cost of the solar panels by 20 to 30 percent, said the Fairfax Times. These types of co-ops have begun emerging across the state, including Blackburg County.
Other towns such as Vienna and Herndon are working with Solarize Nova, a part of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission. This group offers free energy audits and assessments for solar roof candidacy.
Using solar energy roofing systems has many benefits including:
- Cost effectiveness
- Environmentally-friendly
- No carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases are emitted
- Pays for itself in lower cost of utilities and other bills
- Provides energy that can be stored for future use
- Grants, taxes and other rebates could be available from the government for implementation
- Allows a safer alternative to other home heating and lighting measures
If you would like to know how efficient your home is or what changes are available contact Alban Inspections for an energy audit. Call 301-662-6565 or visit our website.