Allegheny County, City Of Pittsburgh, Solar United Neighbors Launch Switch Together To Help Local Homeowners Reduce Energy Costs By Going Solar

On September 15, Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh, with national nonprofit Solar United Neighbors, announced the launch of Switch Together, which will help local homeowners save on solar installations-- including optional battery storage and EV chargers. 

It does so by harnessing the power of community through a group buying model.

“Transitioning to cleaner energy is an important part of building a more resilient and sustainable Allegheny County,” said Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato. “Switch Together gives residents an opportunity to learn more about solar and explore whether it makes sense for their homes, while using the collective buying power of our communities to make these options more accessible. 

“We’re grateful to Solar United Neighbors and our partners at the City of Pittsburgh for bringing this program back to our region.”

“At a time when energy costs are putting more pressure on families across the city, this program makes solar an accessible option at a discounted price to help sustainably lower utility bills,” said Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor. “I’d like to thank Solar United Neighbors and Allegheny County for their partnership in bringing this opportunity to our communities.”

Switch Together makes rooftop solar installations more affordable, while also offering solar education through online resources and in-person events. 

During the 2025 Greater Pittsburgh Switch Together program, residents saw an average discount of 16% for their solar proposals. 

More than 400 Allegheny County residents joined the program last year.

“If you’ve ever thought about going solar, now’s your chance,” said Rachel Pecharka, Solar United Neighbors Pennsylvania Program Associate. “With energy costs rising as high as they’ve ever been, solar can help you save money by taking control of where your energy comes from. Doing so through the solar co-op provides peace of mind that you’re making the right decision for you and your family.”

“Switch Together gave me the confidence to make the move to solar,” said David Heyman, a previous participant. “Because the program was introduced through the City of Pittsburgh, I trusted the process from the start. The installation was straightforward. 

“My installer, Green Rack Solar, kept me informed every step of the way, and now my solar system simply does its job in the background. I don't have to change my routine or think about when I'm generating power. 

“It's one of the few technologies I've adopted that requires virtually no interaction, yet every day I get the satisfaction of knowing my home is powered in part by clean electricity I'm producing myself.”

How Does it Work?

The program organizes a reverse auction with qualified installers who compete to offer their most competitive prices. 

This ensures participants receive a discount on a high-quality solar installation. In addition to the group discount, the program’s installers will offer a vetted and competitive solar lease or power purchase agreement option. 

This can be a great option for residents who do not wish to purchase their solar system through cash purchase or loan financing.

How to Participate

Visit switchtogether.com/greaterpittsburgh to register or learn more. The final day to register and accept a personal recommendation is November 18, 2026. 

Participants will receive a free personal recommendation upon registering. Registration is free, and there is no obligation to accept an offer.

Solar United Neighbors is a nonprofit organization that represents the needs and interests of solar owners and supporters. Group buying programs, like Switch Together are part of the organization’s mission to create a new energy system with rooftop solar at the cornerstone. 

Solar United Neighbors holds events and education programs to help people become informed solar consumers, maximize the value of their solar investment, and advocate for fair solar policies.

Related Articles This Week:

-- PUC Study Warns Rapid Data Center Growth Will Cause PJM Electric Grid To Fail Reliability Standard In 2027, If No Further Actions Taken  [PaEN] 

-- PPL Electric Files Proposal With PUC To Make Electric Transmission Costs More Transparent, Establishes New Way To Assign Costs Incurred For Data Centers To Those Customers  [PaEN]  

-- PA GreenGov Council, Penn State Sustainability Host 2026 Sustainability Week Oct. 5-9 With Timely Webinars Exploring The Future Of Pennsylvania's Energy  [PaEN] 

-- Solar Energy Canopy Installation Nearly Complete At PA Turnpike’s Headquarters Building In Dauphin County  [PaEN] 

-- Allegheny County, City Of Pittsburgh, Solar United Neighbors Launch Switch Together To Help Local Homeowners Reduce Energy Costs By Going Solar  [PaEN] 

-- DEP, PHFA Host Sept. 24 Webinar On New Homeowner Energy Efficiency Loan Program To Reduce Your Energy Costs  [PaEN] 

NewsClips:

-- Utility Dive: PA PUC Report: PJM Faces 2030 Reliability Crisis If Data Center Load Growth Continues; PJM Agrees Demand Growing Faster Than The Ability To Build New Power Sources

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: PUC Report Warns Of More Power Outages As A.I. Data Centers Surge In Pennsylvania 

-- WHYY - Sophia Schmidt: A.I. Data Center Growth Could Mean Blackouts In Coming Year, PA PUC Report Says

-- The Center Square: PUC Warns A.I. Data Center Demand Threatens Electricity Grid Reliability

-- PA Senate Republican Statement On PUC Power Grid Report [No Solutions Included]

[Posted: September 15, 2026] PA Environment Digest