This regularly scheduled sponsored column is written by the Arlington Initiative to Rethink Energy team (AIRE). This county program helps you make smart energy decisions that save you money and leaves a lighter footprint on the environment.
If COVID has shown us anything, it’s that collective action is possible to address a global issue. As the COVID vaccine rolls out, we are watching history being made in so many ways.
On the topic of global collaboration, for the first time, Arlington County is joining a group of other D.C. area local governments to form the Capital Area Solar Co-op.
Launched on April 1, 2021 (no joke), this regional Solar Co-op opportunity will be available from now until the end of August 2021 for residents all over the Capital Area!
It can be hard to find positives amid the chaos of COVID-19, but there is one silver lining. The lockdown has slowed climate change: cutting fossil fuel use, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Unfortunately, this decline in emissions is already reversing.
We as a community and a region have an opportunity to take action now to change the trajectory of the future. Installing solar is one way to directly decarbonize or clean the electric grid, eliminate your dependence on fossil fuels, and even turn your house into a ‘gas station’ if you own or buy an electric car.
More than 230 Arlington homeowners have already participated in the County’s Solar and Electric Vehicle Charger Co-op. The cooperative helps residents, small businesses and non-profit organizations buy solar and electric vehicle (EV) chargers at a discounted price through bulk purchasing. The cooperative provides support to participants to make the purchasing process easy. This year we will also provide information about storing your solar power at home in battery systems.
Take advantage of the federal residential solar and electric vehicle charger tax credits. This year the residential tax credits are 26% for solar and 30% (up to $1,000) for electric vehicle chargers. Business tax credits are also available.
This is a great time to learn more about solar, electric vehicle charging and solar battery storage and help our community reach carbon neutral by 2050.
Below are dates for the upcoming virtual info sessions. Click below to RSVP for the date and time that works best for you: