Two Asbury homes will be gifted with solar panels
Families will save around $900 a year on energy bills, combined
Two Asbury Park families will soon see their energy bills greatly reduced through the donation and installation of solar energy panels on their homes.
The panels come through a the work of Grid Alternatives, a nonprofit organization that brings solar power and solar job training to under-served communities, according to Julian Foley, a communications manager for Grid Alternatives.
Grid Alternatives is a California-based organization that was founded by engineers Erica Mackie and Tim Sears after the 2001 California energy crisis, according to the company’s website.
Their mission is to “empower communities in need by providing renewable energy and energy efficiency services, equipment, and training,” especially to low-income communities.
The two homes in Asbury Park that will benefit from the solar panels are the company’s first efforts within the state. The homes are part of the Monmouth County Affordable Housing Alliance community.
Combined, the families will save about $900 a year on their electric bills, Foley said.
“[The families] are both really excited,” she said. “Many people don’t think they can go solar because the upfront costs are so high.”
Upfront costs for the purchase and installation of solar panels fall somewhere between $10,000 to $15,000 for a modest-sized home, according to Foley.
Third party leasing of equipment —similar to how cable companies lease cable boxes to subscribers — is a cheaper way for middle-income families to add solar energy panels to their homes, but usually require 20-year leases, Foley said.
Foley’s organization would like to make solar power accessible to all communities, especially low-income communities.
“They have the least access to clean technology and are arguably the most in need of it,” she said.
Installations on the two homes will take place Oct. 1 and 2. Due to the company’s privacy practices, they do not disclose physical addresses of the residences.
Grid Alternatives has performed 3,600 similar installations in the western United States, according to their website.
The nonprofit has partnered with SunPower Solar Panels, Yingli Solar, Schneider Electric, Wells Fargo and NRG Energy Company to bring their efforts to several New Jersey and New York neighborhoods, Foley said.
[Photo at top: A volunteer positions panels on a rooftop in San Jacinto, CA. Photo provided courtesy of Grid Alternatives.]
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