Donated solar panels to be installed on Evergreen Habitat for Humanity homes
Donated solar panels will lower household energy costs for 15 low-income Clark County families thanks to a Portland-based nonprofit.
The solar panels removed from a Tualatin, Ore., business would otherwise be headed to a landfill. But Solar for All Inc. received a $150,000 grant from the Washington Department of Commerce to install the panels on affordable homes in Clark County. That covered 80 percent of the cost of the project, with the two nonprofits that received the panels paying for the remainder.
Evergreen Habitat for Humanity has so far installed five of the solar panels on its homes at Northeast 20th Circle. Evergreen Habitat for Humanity and Proud Ground, a Portland nonprofit that offers affordable housing in Vancouver, will split the remaining solar panels.
"We know that homeownership provides financial stability for families and individuals and see these solar panels as a way to ensure long-term affordability to help homeowners save money on utilities and contribute to sustainability," said Heather Cochrun, Habitat's director of community engagement and impact.
Energy costs can be among the most unpredictable items in a budget, and the solar panels will reduce the households' electricity bills dramatically over the next two decades, according to a Solar for All news release.
Proud Ground Associate Director Katie Ullrich said the nonprofit anticipates that 75 percent of the homes receiving solar panels are owned by people of color.
"By installing solar panels, not only are they going to get the monthly savings from their electric bills being lower, but also they will see an increase in the value of these homes," Ullrich said.
The project will also bolster the local economy. The solar panels will be installed by Washougal's Sunbridge Solar.
This story was made possible by Community Funded Journalism, a project from The Columbian and the Local Media Foundation. Top donors include the Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund, Patricia, David and Jacob Nierenberg, Connie and Lee Kearney, Steve and Jan Oliva, The Cowlitz Tribal Foundation and the Mason E. Nolan Charitable Fund. The Columbian controls all content. For more information, visit columbian.com/cfj.
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