A Norfolk church reduced its electric bills by 20% after installing solar panels and used the savings to help congregants facing financial hardship. However, the cancellation of a $7 billion federal solar program has blocked similar opportunities for thousands of Virginia households.
Here’s what to know
Virginia received a $156 million award through the federal Solar for All program, but only $730,000 went toward planning before the remaining funding was cut off, according to WHRO. Lee Zeldin, the current administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, announced the program’s termination in August 2025.
The termination came just months before solar installations were scheduled to commence in December 2025. Installations under the program would have continued through December 2029.
From the outset, Virginia had planned to spend one year designing the program and the next four implementing projects. However, that decision turned out to be crucial, as the current administration canceled the program before implementation began.
Even without federal incentives, solar remains one of the best ways for individuals and communities to save money on energy costs. For homeowners in particular, solar leases can deliver hundreds of dollars in monthly savings without upfront costs. Homeowners can use EasyHome‘s free explorer tool to see their potential savings from vetted installers in their area.
More background
Virginia’s plan has involved setting aside $49 million for solar installations serving 6,400 single-family residences, according to WHRO. The panels must cut household electricity costs by at least 20%…