Exploring Virginia-based “Solarize” Project Models

These presentations were part of an educational webinar to help raise awareness of the “solarize” project model, highlight some project experiences from Virginia, and provide an overview of the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) administered by USDA Rural Development.  This event was hosted by Virginia Cooperative Extension on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 10-11AM

Resources

Recorded Presentations

Solarize! – Here Comes the Sun

Joy Loving
Local Leader, Massanutten Regional Solar Co-op
Massanutten Regional Solar Co-op Project Page: https://www.facebook.com/massanuttenregionalsolarcoop?fref=ts
Email: jal_1998@yahoo.com

Joy Loving is a retired Rockingham County resident, mother and grandmother who installed solar panels to produce her home’s electricity in 2012.  Since then, she has educated herself about the benefits of solar energy as well as Virginia’s laws and policy and its utilities’ positions and actions.  Working with VA SUN, a non-profit organization whose mission is to help communities go solar, in 2014 the Climate Action Alliance of the Valley, of which Joy is a member, sponsored Solarize Harrisonburg and, in 2015, Augusta Solar Co-op.  Currently, Joy and CAAV are working on Massanutten Regional Solar Co-op, again with the support of VA SUN.  Joy is a native Virginian and a graduate of VA Tech, earning a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a master’s degree in Management Information System, many years longer ago than she cares to remember!  Her first association with the Cooperative Extension Service was during her undergraduate days, when she worked in the 4H office in Blacksburg.  She is here today to provide her experience with the three local solar co-ops in which she has been involved.

Overview of the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)

Laurette Tucker
Rural Business Specialist|Energy Coordinator
U.S. Department of Agriculture – Rural Development
100 Dominion Drive
Farmville, VA  23901
Phone: 434-392-4906, Extension 125|FAX: 855-636-4609
http://www.rd.usda.gov/   “Committed to the future of rural communities”