Virginia is taking aim at one of homeowners' highest recurring costs: electricity.
A new statewide solar group-buying program is designed to cut installation costs significantly, and some participants have already seen their monthly power bills fall to "$0."
The announcement positions Virginia as the first state to offer this kind of solar-buying program statewide, giving more households a lower-cost route to rooftop panels that may have previously seemed out of reach.
What's happening?
Households that join Switch Together are expected to save about 23% on solar installations, or roughly $6,300 on a typical system, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury estimates about $2,200 in yearly electricity savings, according to Eciks.org.
Governor Abigail Spanberger announced Virginia's statewide launch of the program on July 13, 2026.
Instead of asking residents to shop around one installer at a time, the initiative uses a reverse auction, with qualified companies competing to offer lower prices.
It also includes discounts on battery storage, offers heat pump savings in many areas, and can stack with other incentives that reduce costs even more.
Signing up is free and comes with no obligation, and residents receive a personalized recommendation about whether solar is a good fit for their home.
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The campaign runs through October 15, is available in more than 100 Virginia localities, and is expected to expand to every community.
Why does it matter?
For many families, utility bills are a stubborn monthly expense, and rooftop solar can be among the most effective ways to bring them down over time.
If you're curious about the numbers, it may be worth exploring EnergySage's free tools to get quick solar installation estimates and compare quotes.
Even without direct state spending, the initiative could still create meaningful savings for homeowners and businesses. Some Virginia participants in Switch Together now pay nothing for electricity on their monthly utility bills.
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What's being done?
Switch Together campaigns operated in only a handful of Virginia localities before Virginia launched the statewide program on July 13, 2026, with national nonprofit Solar United Neighbors running it alongside local government partners. Those smaller campaigns suggest the group-buying model can grow when consumer demand and local support line up.
For homeowners comparing options, free services can make a big difference before signing a contract. With EnergySage's help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations. Tools like EnergySage's solar map show the average cost of a home solar panel system in each state, along with solar incentives available locally, helping shoppers get the best price for rooftop solar panels and access available incentives.
Adding battery storage to a solar setup is also one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off grid. If you want to compare your options, EnergySage offers free tools with information about home battery storage choices, including competitive installation estimates.
"By using the power of the free market, leveraging the Commonwealth's buying power, and cutting out middlemen, we are creating significant discounts for families and businesses," Spanberger said.
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