When Skylar Werde talks about the five new solar projects coming to Virginia, he gets straight to the point: this is about making clean energy affordable for more people. Altus Power, one of the largest community solar providers in the United States, just acquired a 32-megawatt portfolio from New Leaf Energy that will bring discounted electricity bills to roughly 5,000 homes across the Commonwealth.
The projects are ground-mounted solar farms currently under development in Virginia. They will feed into Appalachian Power Company's shared solar program, a state initiative that lets households and businesses receive credits on their utility bills simply by being part of a community solar project — no rooftop panels required. Renters, homeowners, and small businesses can all take part.
"This is about unlocking new pathways: working alongside partners to open new markets, expand access to community solar and ensure more households and businesses can benefit from locally generated, lower cost clean energy," said Werde, Altus Power's Head of Community Solar.
The timing matters. Electricity prices across the country have been climbing, and many Virginians are feeling the squeeze on their monthly bills. Community solar offers a way to lock in savings without asking people to buy or install anything themselves.
"Virginia has made a clear commitment to protecting ratepayers from rising electricity costs through the expansion of clean, incremental power," said Abhi Parmar, Altus Power's Chief Investment Officer. "We're excited to be partnering with New Leaf Energy to help bring it to life."
This deal marks the first time Altus Power and New Leaf Energy have worked together, though both companies see it as a model for future expansion. Kate Vann, Senior Director and Head of Mergers & Acquisitions at New Leaf Energy, said the partnership shows how quickly community solar can grow when developers and operators combine their strengths.
"Our team is proud to have partnered with Altus Power on the development of these projects and expand clean, affordable energy for communities across the Commonwealth," Vann said.
Altus Power already serves more than 40,000 subscribers across 30 states and the District of Columbia, with over 1.4 gigawatts of solar generation assets — enough to power a significant chunk of the country. By entering Virginia's shared solar market, the company is betting that more states will follow suit, creating new opportunities for households to access cheaper, locally generated electricity.
For the 5,000 families expected to enroll once the projects launch, the promise is simple: cleaner power and lower bills, all without lifting a finger.