Inspired by initiatives that bulk-buy rooftop solar for homes, a new project will help residents navigate home electrification and connect with trusted contractors.
After Susan Lindsay got rooftop solar panels installed on her home in Greensboro, North Carolina, she wanted the low-income households she visited as a parent educator to be able to do the same — but without the expense.
“I realized how hard that would be for any of these families I was working with, but also how quickly it reduced my energy burden,” she said. “I started looking around for people trying to get clean energy into the hands of people who don’t make as much money.”
Soon, Lindsay found a coalition of groups working to solarize their communities. The basic concept has been around for nearly two decades: Organizers vet installers, negotiate prices, and recruit as many residents as possible to go solar during a limited sign-up window. The more participants, the lower the cost, thanks to the power of bulk purchasing…