Pittsburgh and Allegheny County residents may find a solar program mailer in their mailbox this month. The city says the mailing is legitimate: it is part of Switch Together, a group purchasing initiative endorsed by both governments and offered in partnership with nonprofit Solar United Neighbors.
In its October 8 announcement, the city said mailers would begin arriving that day. They explain the program, point residents toward solar education and events, and describe how to learn more. The notice gives homeowners a way to verify the mailing against an official source before responding.
What the program offers
The 2026 program, announced in September, lets homeowners explore rooftop solar, battery storage and electric vehicle chargers through group purchasing. Its purpose is to combine demand from participating households and potentially reduce the cost of equipment and installation proposals.
That is a home energy purchasing program, rather than an announcement that the city is installing panels on every participating property. Residents still need information about their own home and the specific proposal they receive. A neighborhood's participation does not establish that every roof is suitable or that every household will receive the same offer.
The city's announcement reports that more than 400 local residents participated last year and received an average 16 percent discount on solar proposals. That figure describes previous proposals. It is not a promised 2026 discount, a percentage reduction in electricity bills, or a guaranteed return for an individual homeowner.
Who handles group purchasing
Solar United Neighbors explains that Switch Together is run by iChoosr, which organizes group purchases and coordinates the installer auction. SUN contributes solar education and local knowledge through partnerships with governments and nonprofits. The organizations describe support throughout the process, with information delivered through an online platform.
For a resident opening the mailer, the useful distinction is between the public endorsement, the nonprofit's educational role and the company managing the auction. Those are separate parts of the same initiative. Understanding the roles can help homeowners direct questions about participation, equipment or an eventual installation proposal to the appropriate organization.
An October class for prospective participants
SUN's current events calendar lists Greater Pittsburgh Switch Together Solar 101 for October 19, from 6:30–8 p.m. Eastern. The virtual session covers solar technology, economics, financing and the group program for people considering solar at a home or small business.
The calendar links to the event registration page. Check that listing for attendance instructions and any schedule updates. A class is a useful place to ask how the process works before trying to compare offers or decide whether battery storage belongs in a project.
Where to start
Residents can use the Greater Pittsburgh program website linked by the city to review current participation information. SUN also maintains a Pennsylvania resource page with its state team contact and solar support resources.
Before moving forward, ask for the full scope of a proposed system, the installer responsible for the work, what the quoted price includes and how any savings estimate was calculated. Keep rooftop panels, storage and charger costs clear when reviewing an offer. The immediate news is an endorsed program and an upcoming opportunity to learn about it; completed installations and household savings will depend on what residents choose and what their individual projects require.