Altenergy Inc. chosen for solarize programs in Richmond, Charlottesville

In the summer and fall of 2014, Altenergy Incorporated is helping two Virginia Solarize programs make solar easier and more affordable than ever. Altenergy Incorporated was selected in a competitive bid process earlier this year by SolarizeRVA, a program of the Richmond Region Energy Alliance (RREA), to be one of two installers providing limited-time solar savings and services to the Richmond community. The SolarizeRVA program runs through July 15, 2014.

Altenergy Incorporated subsequently bid and won the opportunity to work with Solarize Charlottesville , which is sponsored by the nonprofit Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) in partnership with the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and the UVA Community Credit Union. Solarize Charlottesville kicks off on July 1, 2014 and runs through September 30, 2014.

Solarize is when community members band together and seize volume discounts through collective solar purchasing. Solarize began as a grassroots movement in Portland, Oregon and has spread steadily throughout the U.S. in the past five years. Typically, local sustainable energy organizations drive the Solarize effort, seeking proposals for pricing, materials and installation from regional solar installers and selecting two to be the program contractors. By pre-qualifying the contractors and locking in bulk pricing, the process is streamlined for homeowners. Free workshops, home assessments and assistance with financing and tax credits.

Joe Sadonis, Altenergy Inc.’s Staunton branch manager commented on the programs: “By providing installers the benefits of bulk purchasing, reductions in marketing and travel expenses, and a guarantee that our crews will be fully utilized, Solarize programs can give communities a huge and immediate boost in solar development. Adding assistance to participants in accessing federal tax credits, navigating the Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) market and securing affordable financing reduces the learning curve as well, and that’s a tremendous benefit for homeowners wanting to add solar to their properties. Solarize is beginning to organize in Harrisonburg, and we hope to see more communities working together to create more solar opportunities around the region.”