As interest in renewable energy continues to grow, many homeowners and small businesses are looking for ways to incorporate clean energy into their daily lives. For some, installing a rooftop system isn’t practical: whether due to cost, space limitations, or property constraints. That’s where Cooperative Sunshare offers a smart, flexible solution.
Designed for residential and small commercial members of A&N Electric Cooperative, Cooperative Sunshare makes it possible to benefit from solar energy without installing a single panel. Instead, participants can subscribe to a portion of electricity generated by large-scale solar facilities in Virginia.
The program sources energy from two sites: the 20-megawatt Cherrydale solar facility in Northampton County and the 10-megawatt Clarke County solar facility in White Post. Through a purchase power agreement with Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC), A&N’s wholesale power provider, the cooperative delivers this solar energy to participating members.
Enrollment is simple and flexible. Members choose how much solar energy they want to receive each month by subscribing to 50 kilowatt-hour (kWH) blocks. Each block — roughly equivalent to a day’s worth of electricity depending on household usage, weather and appliance demand — costs $5.28 per month. Participants can select enough blocks to cover a portion or even all of their monthly electric use.
Beyond convenience, Cooperative Sunshare offers long-term value. By subscribing, members can lock in the price they pay for the solar portion of their electricity, helping provide stability against future energy cost fluctuations. At the same time, they’re supporting the continued growth of renewable energy across the Commonwealth.
The program is also designed with flexibility in mind. Members can adjust their subscription levels or cancel at any time, with no fees or long-term commitments.
Members who are interested in participating but aren’t sure how many blocks to choose don’t have to figure it out alone. A&N’s team is available to help review your energy usage and recommend a subscription level that fits your needs. To learn more or get assistance, call 757-787-9750, option 3, or visit anec.com. Under the Energy Efficiency tab, select “Renewable Energy,” then “Cooperative Sunshare” to submit an inquiry online.
Cooperative Sunshare represents a practical path toward cleaner energy, one that removes the barriers traditionally associated with solar adoption. By making renewable energy more accessible and affordable, A&N Electric Cooperative is helping members take part in a more sustainable future, one block at a time.