July 13, 2022
The Clean Energy Initiative (CEI) of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Community Development Action Coalition (HBCU CDAC), is bringing extra cost-efficient solar financial savings, clear energy entry, and superior energy expertise to underserved residential neighborhoods. These 14 no-cost solar techniques are all put in on owner-occupied low-to-moderate-income houses, with installations by Southern Energy Management, using SolarEdge inverter and monitoring applied sciences.
“Central to CDAC’s mission and work is a partnership engagement model that prioritizes relationships that empower HBCUs, MSIs, and their affiliated organizations as partners, beneficiaries, and ultimate stewards of sustainable green communities,” said Henry Golatt, Chief of Strategy and Partnerships, HBCU Clean Energy Initiative. “Our work, in this regard, in North Carolina and other markets has allowed us to stress test that model and we are now moving forward to bring our efforts to full scale.”
To date, 10 solar techniques have been put in in Greensboro, NC with 4 installations in progress in Winston-Salem, NC. These tasks are a part of a nationwide initiative spearheaded by HBCU CDAC, which was charged by the Department of Energy (DOE) to extend consciousness and equitable entry to scrub energy options by the direct engagement of the nation’s HBCUs and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs).
“The disparities and inequities are clear,” said Karen Soares, Director of the HBCU Clean Energy Initiative. “It is imperative that our most vulnerable neighborhoods in Greensboro, NC, and across the country have access to clean energy and advanced technology solutions that will bring about cost savings and are supportive of balancing growth, equity, and environmental injustices.”
“The system is running great! I believe I have the lowest bill I can get,” said Victoria C., home-owner in Greensboro, NC. “We officially feel like we live off the grid. The bill has gone down literally 90%. I’m very thankful and grateful for this energy saving system and your entire team and partnership!”
In the Spring and Summer of 2021, HBCU CDAC recognized HBCU North Carolina A&T (NCA&T) University within the City of Greensboro as the primary college for community-based deployment in North Carolina.
Southern Energy Management (SEM), was chosen as an area set up companion by HBCU CDAC’s analysis course of, attributable to its standing as a Certified B Corporation, the corporate’s 20 years of expertise with the native solar trade, and its good working relationship with local people companions.
“Our efforts with HBCU CDAC & SolarEdge are not only helping move the needle for North Carolina’s clean energy industry, but reducing the gap in clean energy access. We are thrilled to expand our collaboration with this innovative program, where we can increase homeowners’ access to clean, affordable energy and create cost-savings solutions in the communities that need it most.” Bob Kingery, co-founder and CEO of Southern Energy Management.
Each set up contains SolarEdge optimizers, inverters, and consumption and manufacturing monitoring purposes, permitting owners to trace solar utilization and financial savings in real-time. By aggregating the SolarEdge monitoring knowledge, HBCU CDAC will be capable of exhibit measurable impression throughout the neighborhood and advocate for funding to develop this system throughout the nation. The techniques which can be accomplished up to now are overlaying a mean of 76% of the home-owner’s electrical energy utilization by May of this yr.
It’s fascinating to know the way a lot electrical energy you employ and since we don’t know what we’ve been doing up to now,” said Lynn B., home-owner in Winston Salem, NC “So, we never know what we use, and we just go by what Duke (our energy provider) tells us. But, now we can actually go and see what we’re using. One of the cool things that I love about it too is being able to sync it with my bills.”
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Tags: low-income, SolarEdge
