Solar for All was founded in 2012 to provide low-income families free solar energy to reduce their utility bills and carbon footprints. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Solar for All funds the installation of photovoltaic solar electric systems on low-income housing projects developed by local public and private entities.
Solar for All Founder and Executive Director Greg Harr says the organization’s goal is threefold: 1.) tackling the poverty cycle by helping qualifying low-income individuals and families reduce their utility bills; 2.) providing low-income residents the ability to reduce their overall carbon footprints and impact on the environment; and 3.) helping drive growth in the local renewable energy economy by using local installers and suppliers.
“It’s another way to tackle the poverty cycle,” Harr said. “We’re helping families who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford these products, which drives the growth of family-wage renewable energy jobs as the demand for PV solar electric systems increases in Oregon.”
Although a number of incentives for PV solar electric systems exist, these remain largely out of reach for many homeowners due to the up-front installation costs. That’s where Solar for All’s work begins. We partner with local affordable housing providers to identify qualifying families, and then leverage available grants, rebates, and public donations to fund the installation of solar panels through local solar installers on the home at no cost to the homeowners, or affordable housing providers. The solar panels then produce 'free energy' for at least 20 years which provides a dramatic financial benefit for the homeowner.
Solar for All's first project was completed in 2015 - a 3.6 kW system on a home in SE Portland supported by both Community Vision, Inc. and Proud Ground. Since 2015, we've installed over 115 kW of solar on 32 different homes in Portland, Medford, Hillsboro, Molalla, Milwaukie and Gresham in Oregon; and Vancouver and Washougal in Washington State. These systems have generated over 715,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity saving the homeowners over $66,000 on their utility bills over the years, while avoiding the production of over 125 tons of carbon dioxide from coal, and natural gas generated electricity otherwise provided by 'The Grid.'
Solar for All has multiple affordable single-family home projects in the works in 2024, including an expansion into Central Oregon (Bend) with our new affordable home partner, Rooted Homes!
Solar for All Founder and Executive Director Greg Harr says the organization’s goal is threefold: 1.) tackling the poverty cycle by helping qualifying low-income individuals and families reduce their utility bills; 2.) providing low-income residents the ability to reduce their overall carbon footprints and impact on the environment; and 3.) helping drive growth in the local renewable energy economy by using local installers and suppliers.
“It’s another way to tackle the poverty cycle,” Harr said. “We’re helping families who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford these products, which drives the growth of family-wage renewable energy jobs as the demand for PV solar electric systems increases in Oregon.”
Although a number of incentives for PV solar electric systems exist, these remain largely out of reach for many homeowners due to the up-front installation costs. That’s where Solar for All’s work begins. We partner with local affordable housing providers to identify qualifying families, and then leverage available grants, rebates, and public donations to fund the installation of solar panels through local solar installers on the home at no cost to the homeowners, or affordable housing providers. The solar panels then produce 'free energy' for at least 20 years which provides a dramatic financial benefit for the homeowner.
Solar for All's first project was completed in 2015 - a 3.6 kW system on a home in SE Portland supported by both Community Vision, Inc. and Proud Ground. Since 2015, we've installed over 115 kW of solar on 32 different homes in Portland, Medford, Hillsboro, Molalla, Milwaukie and Gresham in Oregon; and Vancouver and Washougal in Washington State. These systems have generated over 715,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity saving the homeowners over $66,000 on their utility bills over the years, while avoiding the production of over 125 tons of carbon dioxide from coal, and natural gas generated electricity otherwise provided by 'The Grid.'
Solar for All has multiple affordable single-family home projects in the works in 2024, including an expansion into Central Oregon (Bend) with our new affordable home partner, Rooted Homes!