Virginia Solar Program Illuminates Homes of Seniors and Low-Income Residents
With over two decades of experience in the retail industry, Rachel Brown was no stranger to the concept of skepticism when it came to offers that claimed to be “free.” As a retired quilt store owner, she knew that her internal fraud radar needed to be on high alert. So, when an enticing offer for no-cost rooftop solar landed on her doorstep in Augusta County a year ago, she didn’t rush into it. Instead, she took her time to do her due diligence.
Brown’s research involved consulting her utility-savvy nephew, Everett Brubaker, who played a crucial role in alleviating her concerns. Brubaker assured her that Dominion Energy’s solar program, specifically designed to benefit elderly and low-income Virginians, was indeed a legitimate opportunity.
“Everett would not be recommending anything that wouldn’t be good for me,” she emphasized. “It came from a very trusted source. That really mattered to me.”
Brubaker’s endorsement held significant weight, and it motivated his aunt to take the plunge into the world of solar energy. True to its promise, the only expenditure she willingly made was on ingredients for the chocolate caramel oatmeal cookies she baked as a gesture of appreciation for the SunDay Solar crew that arrived on September 12th to install a 12-panel solar array on her house. The 5-kilowatt system was set to go online this month.
“Just the idea that this will help me move off fossil fuels is exciting,” Brown expressed. Her new solar configuration is expected to reduce her power bill by at least one-third. She acknowledges that in the grand scheme of things, her electric bill might not be significant to a giant corporation like Dominion Energy, but for someone living on a fixed income, the savings are substantial.
Brubaker, who is based in the nearby Shenandoah Valley city of Harrisonburg, serves as an outreach specialist on the Energy Solutions team at Community Housing Partners. This organization is the largest among a dozen nonprofits in Virginia qualified to perform weatherization services. Their primary focus is connecting homeowners living paycheck-to-paycheck with a range of age- and income-qualifying programs aimed at enhancing affordability, adding value, and ensuring that residents can live safely and healthily in their homes.
However, Brubaker acknowledges that this holistic approach falls short if he doesn’t invest time and effort in building trust and relationships with individuals who have every reason to be cautious about anything that’s promoted as “free.”
“For my Aunt Rachel, that little 5-kilowatt system is a game-changer,” he affirmed. “But seniors are inundated with scams related to solar, so it’s nearly impossible to sift through what’s legitimate and what isn’t. It’s important that there be comfort and trust.”
In Rachel Brown’s case, trust was the key that unlocked the door to a brighter, more sustainable future through solar energy, proving that with the right information and trustworthy sources, clean energy solutions can be accessible and beneficial for all, including elderly and low-income households.
