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 fundraising commenced in Feb. 2021. By October 2021, GiveSolar raised over $127,000 for the Solar Seed Fund.

The Solar Seed Fund provides up-front funding to pay for the installation of 4-5 kilowatt solar systems (10-12 solar panels) on newly built Habitat homes in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, Virginia. The project aimed to address the challenge of accessibility of solar energy to households with low income. These homeowners often do not have the financial wherewithal to afford the up-front cost of solar energy.

Solar allows Habitat homeowners to save $50 to $60 per month on their electricity bills by generating their own electricity. After paying $20 per month to repay the cost of the solar system, homeowners will experience a net savings of $30-40 per month.

Solar Seed Fund

Shenandoah Valley Black Heritage Project

Broadway Duplex