Affordable Renewable Energy Campaign Launches in Charlotte-Mecklenburg

Published on June 18, 2025

Free Signups for Group Buying Discounts Now Under Way

Solarize Charlotte-Mecklenburg, a new community-based campaign aimed at making solar energy and battery power more affordable and accessible for all, is set to launch on Wednesday, June 25.

A free public event that introduces and highlights the new region-wide group-purchasing program for local residents, businesses and nonprofit organizations will be held from 6–7:30 p.m. at the Innovation Barn located at 932 Seigle Ave. in Charlotte.

During this special Solarize Charlotte-Mecklenburg launch event, attendees can learn how this unique, time-limited campaign will offer pathways for property owners to become more resilient, reducing energy expenses and increasing savings on the cost of renewable energy systems by obtaining volume discounts on materials and installation services.

The launch event, open to the public, will feature:

• Community leaders and representatives from the coalition that developed Solarize Charlotte-Mecklenburg;
• Introduction of the locally chosen installer company selected through competitive bidding;
• Insights from experts into the benefits of solar energy and battery storage as well as how discounted pricing works in a group-buying campaign;
• How area homeowners and businesses/commercial property owners can enroll for a free, no-obligation assessment of their property through Solarize Charlotte-Mecklenburg, and;
• Q&A along with light refreshments.

The campaign, time-limited to this summer and continuing through October, is the first of its kind in the region and the work of a local partnership forged by the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, the Town of Davidson and Centralina Regional Council.

Objectives of the Solarize Charlotte-Mecklenburg program are to:

• Make solar energy more affordable by lowering the cost of solar energy through the power of group purchasing. Those savings will be passed on to residents and businesses of Mecklenburg County; 
• Make solar energy more accessible with predetermined, highly vetted materials, pricing and contractor(s) selected through a competitive bid process;
• Engage the community with widespread awareness, education and outreach activities such as community meetings, workshops, solar “open house” gatherings, and information provided through local community groups and events; and
• Promote solar-positive policies as well as advance greenhouse gas reduction goals, clean-energy production, workforce development opportunities and other community policy objectives.

"Solarize Charlotte-Mecklenburg is a program that the City of Charlotte is excited to be involved in,” said Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles. “Removing barriers to entry for our community to practice sustainability is paramount, and this group-purchasing program makes solar energy more affordable and attainable."

As a community-based group-purchasing program, Solarize campaigns are driven by bulk buying among local residents. The more participants who purchase solar energy systems or batteries, the greater the savings for all purchasers. Information about the program is available.

Installer Firm Selected through Vigorous Vetting Process

A qualified firm to ensure best-in-class materials are installed for the lowest price through volume purchasing has been selected by the coalition. Specific criteria for choosing the company were used to identify this installer partner, which will be announced at the public event.

Following the launch, Solarize Charlotte-Mecklenburg will offer a series of clean-energy education and outreach events and local appearances with a goal of increasing participation through a better understanding of rooftop solar components and benefits as well as knowledge about financing and incentives available to the public.

Solarize Charlotte-Mecklenburg is already accepting advance registrations for the campaign. Interested property owners may go to the program website to learn more. Sign up now and become among the first in line for a free evaluation following the public launch. There is no obligation to enroll. Nearly 40 residents have already signed up for free to learn more.

The campaign will continue with free enrollment until Oct. 31, 2025. Following that, the deadline for residential contracts to be signed is Dec. 31, 2025. The commercial contract deadline is March 31, 2026. Installations are anticipated to continue beyond the outreach period with the goal of all installations complete on or before April 15, 2026.

Community-based organizations in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region are also encouraged to become involved in promoting the campaign and sharing this opportunity among residents, neighborhoods and organization members and supporters. Email admin@solarizecharmeck.com for more information on involvement.