GiveSolar is on a mission to provide solar power to Habitat for Humanity homes in the U.S. This movement has taken root in Virginia, with a promising partnership between GiveSolar and Habitat for Humanity Virginia, and a proven plan for deployment.
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The mission of Mercy House is to provide food, clothing, and shelter to households with dependent children who are experiencing homelessness in the Harrisonburg, Virginia, area in a safe community, while providing services that overcome the barriers leading to homelessness.
A collaboration of Shenandoah Valley community organizations supported and amplified the mission of SVBHP through joining forces to undertake an energy efficiency and solarization project on SVBHP’s building at 425 Hill Street in Harrisonburg, VA. Visitors come to this building seeking information about African American history and culture in the Shenandoah Valley. SVBHP provides internet access, help with ancestry research, a library containing books specific to our mission, and a safe space to build bridges with neighbors.
After completing a solar pilot project on a Habitat for Humanity duplex in Broadway, VA, GiveSolar approached the Board of Directors of Central Valley Habitat for Humanity with a proposal to raise $100,000 for a Solar Seed Fund that would be used to install solar on all Habitat homes built in their service territory over the next five years. The board unanimously approved the proposal and fundraisng commenced in Feb. 2021. By October 2021, GiveSolar raised over $127,000 for the Solar Seed Fund.
In October 2020, GiveSolar was invited by a board member of Central Valley Habitat for Humanity to partner on a solar project. The initial goal of this collaboration was to create a pilot project that demonstrates how to make solar accessible to low-income households. Our pilot project was a duplex in Broadway, Virginia. With the support of Green Hill Solar, we installed two 3.78 kilowatt solar systems on the duplex in February of 2021.
On October 10, 2020, GiveSolar organized a volunteer-powered “solar barnraising” on the roof of Eastern Mennonite School in Harrisonburg, VA. Three hundred and fifty-seven solar panels were installed by about 40 volunteers in four hours and 15 minutes. Volunteers included Deanna Reed, Mayor of Harrisonburg, and Harrisonburg City Council member Laura Dent.
The mission of Gemeinschaft Home is to provide cutting-edge therapeutic services to nonviolent offenders who have been released or diverted from incarceration in support of a transition to healthy community living. GiveSolar installed a 25-kilowatt solar system at Gemeinschaft Home in June 2019.
The mission of OCP is to build a safe, loving community of restoration and hope for all, especially those facing homelessness and other adverse experiences. GiveSolar installed a 17.4 kilowatt solar system on November 8, 2018. On December 3, 2018, the system was turned on and has been soaking up the sun and producing electricity ever since, saving OCP thousands of dollars each year that can now be used in pursuing their core mission.
The first project of GiveSolar featured a solar “barn raising” at the Gift & Thrift store in Harrisonburg, Virginia on November 5, 2016. Secure Futures, along with members of the community, partnered to support the nonprofit, installing solar panels on the roof of their building. Gift and Thrift is a thrift store whose proceeds are directed to the international relief and development work of Mennonite Central Committee.
