Organization to help low-income homeowners save on energy bills while providing job training
Baltimore nonprofit Civic Works announces the launch of a new program in collaboration with Baltimore City, the Abell Foundation and BGE that increases access to solar for low to moderate income residents while expanding workforce opportunities for Baltimore’s underemployed and unemployed.
This initiative will help homeowners save money on their electricity bills while providing participants from Civic Works’ Baltimore Center for Green Careers the opportunity to gain valuable skills.
“Since 2009, the City has partnered with Civic Works to bring energy efficiency and education to Baltimore City residents through the Baltimore Energy Challenge. Solar installations on rooftops is a pinnacle of energy savings for low-income residents and I am excited to see Civic Works assist in advancing low-income solar installations in the City of Baltimore,” said Alice Kennedy, Deputy Housing Commissioner. “Investment in these solar installations is not only saving energy but creating jobs, and supporting healthy housing and strong communities.”
As more homeowners and businesses in Baltimore and across the country look to solar as a viable energy source, the solar energy installation industry is primed for expansion and job creation. Despite this, most major solar installers are not interested in tackling Baltimore City’s challenging solar installations.
“Baltimore is full of historic homes, which unfortunately can be a barrier when it comes to solar installation,” said Matt Weaver, Civic Works’ Solar Strategies Director. “At Civic Works, we believe in lowering energy costs and making Baltimore a more sustainable place to live – so we’re willing to take on that challenge.”
In addition to Baltimore’s aging homes, there is also the risk that comes with entering lease agreements with low-income families. Civic Works will be assuming that risk and covering all upfront installation costs with funding from Healthy Neighborhoods through its Baltimore Energy Initiative Loan Program. In return, homeowners receiving solar will enter 15-year leases with Civic Works. With access to solar, residents will save an average of 15 to 20 percent on their energy bill each month.
“This cutting-edge, public-private program will have a tremendous impact on Baltimore,” said Congressman Sarbanes. “It will help residents save money on their utility bills, it will lower our city’s carbon footprint, and importantly, it will help provide unemployed and underemployed Baltimoreans with job training and employment opportunities in the solar industry.”
The largest installation took place across six rooftops at Sandtown-Winchester Condominium Association in West Baltimore. Civic Works has also installed solar on four homes in Milton-Montford, Belair-Edison, Oliver, and Mondawmin.
Civic Works will celebrate its new solar initiative with a launch event on January 18, 2018 at 10:00am at 900 N Fulton Ave. Baltimore, MD 21217.
ABOUT CIVIC WORKS
Civic Works is Baltimore’s urban service corps and an AmeriCorps program. Our mission is to strengthen Baltimore’s communities through education, skills development, and community service. Civic Works AmeriCorps members tutor and mentor students, create community parks and gardens, help homeowners conserve energy, grow food for low-income residents, rehabilitate abandoned houses, involve families in Baltimore City schools, make homes safer for older adults, and recruit volunteers. Civic Works also trains Baltimore residents for employment in the healthcare and green job industries. For more information, please visit www.civicworks.com.
