When people click “see what your neighbors are saying,” they’re usually looking for something simple: reassurance.

We recently spoke with the Harris family, homeowners in Chesapeake, about their experience learning about solar and using VirginiaSolar.org as a resource along the way.

Tell us a little about your home and where you’re located.

We’re in Chesapeake, in a single-family home that we’ve been in for about eight years. Typical suburban neighborhood, nothing unusual about the house itself.

What made you start looking into solar?

Honestly, it started with our electric bills. They weren’t outrageous, but they were unpredictable. Every year felt a little higher, especially in the summer.

We weren’t looking to rush into anything — just wanted to understand what solar actually did and whether it made sense for a house like ours.

What questions or concerns did you have at the beginning?

A lot.

We didn’t know:

• If our roof was even a good fit

• How winter or cloudy days worked

• Whether solar actually lowered bills or just shifted them

• If this was one of those things that sounds better than it is
  
  

We also didn’t want a sales pitch. That was a big one.

How did VirginiaSolar.org help during your decision?

It helped us slow down.

Instead of someone pushing us toward a quote, we could just read. The articles explained things we didn’t even know to ask about — like seasonality, system sizing, and how production changes throughout the year.

It made conversations with installers a lot easier because we weren’t starting from zero.

What ultimately made solar feel like the right move?

Understanding how solar fits into the bigger picture.

Once we realized solar isn’t about perfect months or eliminating a bill entirely, but about long-term energy stability, it clicked. We felt like we were making a practical decision, not a gamble.

How has the experience been so far?

Smooth.

We knew what to expect going in, which made a huge difference. Nothing felt surprising or confusing, because we had already learned the basics ahead of time.

That peace of mind mattered more than we expected.

What would you tell someone in Virginia who’s still unsure?

Take your time and learn first.

Solar isn’t something you should feel rushed into. Having neutral information helped us feel confident that we were making the right choice for our home — not someone else’s.

Why We Share Stories Like This

VirginiaSolar.org exists to help homeowners learn at their own pace, using clear information and real-world context — not pressure.

Every home is different, but the questions people ask are often the same. Hearing how others worked through those questions can make the process feel a lot less intimidating.

Note on Privacy

Names and identifying details may be adjusted to protect homeowner privacy. These stories reflect common experiences shared by Virginia homeowners exploring solar.