|
Page 11 of 14
<br />
<br />25. Does your project accelerate or
<br />expand on existing programs
<br />that already show positive
<br />impact?
<br />
<br />26. Does your project also take
<br />advantage of other funding
<br />sources?
<br />
<br />27. Would your proposed project
<br />help you to take advantage of
<br />funding from other sources
<br />besides this grant in the future?
<br />
<br />28. Please describe any other
<br />aspect of your project that is
<br />relevant to the efficient use of
<br />grant funds:
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Criterion 4 - Capacity of Applicant
<br />
<br />29. Please describe any projects
<br />that you have completed
<br />successfully in the past which
<br />are similar to the project you
<br />are proposing:
<br />
<br />30. If you are proposing to
<br />collaborate with other
<br />organizations on this project,
<br />please briefly describe their
<br />relevant experience to the
<br />project and/or the target
<br />population:
<br />
<br />31. Please describe any other
<br />relevant expertise or capacity
<br />to carry out the project in your
<br />application:
<br />
<br />
<br />Criterion 5 - Local Economic Development
<br />
<br />32. How many Orange County
<br />residents are employed by your
<br />organization?
<br />
<br />By solarizing the PEACH Apartments, EI is helping
<br />SolarEquity build upon its previous success of assisting
<br />the solarization of Habitat for Humanity homes. The 15
<br />Habitat for Humanity homes are on Odie Street in
<br />Orange County. The houses were installed with 5.4kW
<br />systems to prevent 300,000 pounds of carbon from
<br />entering the atmosphere each. The homeowner
<br />response to solar has been overwhelmingly positive, as
<br />energy burdens have decreased by 65%. The project at
<br />the Peach Apartments highlights a commitment to
<br />extending the benefits of solar energy to a broader
<br />community of even lower-income households. By
<br />collaborating with SolarEquity, EmPOWERment will
<br />leverage its expertise and resources to amplify the
<br />positive impact of solar energy on low-income housing.
<br />By continuing the work begun by Habitat for Humanity,
<br />EmPOWERment stimulates the proliferation of solar
<br />adoption amongst low-income housing in Orange
<br />County. Moreover, it will establish EmPOWERment as a
<br />leader in solarizing affordable housing in the state,
<br />increasing the likelihood of investment from other
<br />sources. Few affordable housing projects are solarized
<br />in North Carolina despite their ability to lessen energy
<br />burdens on low-income tenants. The project will serve
<br />as a paragon for other housing developers in the state
<br />and will likely lead to increased rooftop solar adoption in
<br />Orange County. This point is especially notable given
<br />the robust marketing effort EmPOWERment is
<br />developing with SolarEquity, NC Solar Now, and
<br />Maxeon.
<br />Yes. EmPOWERment has agreed to contribute $1,000,
<br />and SolarEquity has agreed to contribute $7,200 to this
<br />solar project. Additionally, East Chapel Hill Rotary has
<br />agreed to donate $1,000, and the Kenan Institute has
<br />pledged $500. NC Solar Now has offered a $10,519
<br />discount on the installation of the system given
<br />EmPOWERment’s role in the community and the
<br />demographic that the project is targeting.
<br />In addition to the Orange County Community Climate
<br />Action Grant, EI has actively sought funding from
<br />various sources to support rooftop solar installation at
<br />the PEACH Apartments. SolarEquity has pledged
<br />$7,200, and EmPOWERment has committed to the solar
<br /> project. East Chapel Hill Rotary and the Green Team
<br />have donated $1,000, and the Kenan Institute has
<br />donated $500. NC Solar Now has offered a $10,519
<br />discount on installing the system in the form of a direct
<br />donation. Their support demonstrates the community's
<br />commitment to promoting renewable energy. Completing
<br /> this project would bring significant cachet to
<br />EmPOWERment and SolarEquity’s partnership and
<br />increase the likelihood of successful rooftop solar
<br />initiatives for low-income housing in the future. Each of
<br />the stakeholders of this project has agreed to maximize
<br />the project’s visibility. The additional attention will attract
<br />potential donors who will be more willing to donate funds
<br /> to rooftop solar projects in the future. SolarEquity is
<br />already in discussion with an environmentally-minded
<br />bank to solarize projects of this type in the future. These
<br />effects will move SolarEquity closer to realizing its
<br />long-term funding strategy, a resilient funding model that
<br /> could support several multi-unit solar projects every
<br />calendar year.
<br />
<br />On a separate note, EmPOWERment should be able to
<br />claim 30% of the cost of the system back from the
<br />federal government as a rebate. Additionally, we may be
<br /> eligible to claim an additional 10% rebate considering
<br />the tenants of the Peach Apartments are low-income.
<br />SolarEquity will be assisting with the rebate paperwork.
<br />However, since this is a new program under the Inflation
<br /> Reduction Act and paperwork will not be available until
<br />at least late 2023, there is uncertainty surrounding the
<br />rebates. Due to this ambiguity and significant time delay,
<br /> the 30-40% rebate appears outside of this grant
<br />application. If the project is completed and
<br />EmPOWERment can claim the reimbursement provided
<br />by the IRA, they will use this money to fund the
<br />installation of rooftop solar and energy storage at the
<br />Midway Business Center.
<br />
<br />The responsible allocation of excess funds stemming
<br />from the direct pay rebates is an integral part of this
<br />grant application. By funding the installation of rooftop
<br />solar on the Peach Apartments, the grant may also play
<br />a significant role in the structure of solar and battery on
<br />a small business incubator, stimulating economic activity
<br /> in Orange County and assisting the launch of innovative
<br /> small businesses by EmPOWERment clients.
<br />Our commitment to the efficient use of grant funds is
<br />unwavering. For the PEACH Apartments, all grant funds
<br />received will be dedicated solely and directly to installing
<br /> the solar panels on the PEACH apartments. This
<br />ensures that the funds are allocated to the core objective
<br /> of generating clean and renewable energy. In the event
<br />of any excess funds, EI has a well-thought-out plan.
<br />Instead of diverting the extra funds to unrelated
<br />expenses, we will responsibly allocate them to
<br />purchasing rooftop solar and a solar battery on EI’s
<br />small business incubator, the Midway Business Center.
<br />The solar battery will store any surplus solar energy
<br />generated during peak sunlight hours when energy
<br />production exceeds the immediate demand of the
<br />apartments. By keeping this excess energy, we can
<br />ensure that no solar power goes to waste and can be
<br />utilized during periods of low sunlight or high energy
<br />consumption. This not only enhances the efficiency of
<br />the solar power system but also contributes to the
<br />overall energy resilience of the EmPOWERment
<br />properties. The addition of batteries will make the unit a
<br />resilience hub where the residents will have access to
<br />conditioned space and electricity in the event of power
<br />outages which likely will be more prevalent in the future
<br />with global warming. Our project’s prudent approach
<br />ensures that every dollar of the grant is put to its
<br />intended purpose, advancing the adaptation of
<br />renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions, and
<br />promoting a greener and more sustainable future for the
<br />PEACH apartments and community.
<br />EMPOWERment has yet to solarize any of their 62 rental
<br />properties, 3 privately-owned homes, or their small
<br />business incubator in Orange County, NC. Nonetheless,
<br />other stakeholders in this project have experience in
<br />solarizing affordable housing in the state. Both
<br />SolarEquity and East Chapel Hill Rotary were
<br />instrumental in the solarization of 15 Habitat for
<br />Humanity Homes on Odie Street in Orange County, NC.
<br />The two groups spearheaded the solar equipment
<br />donation solicitation effort while also fundraising money
<br />to ensure the panels could be installed.
<br />
<br />
<br />SolarEquity is a non-profit organization composed of
<br />undergraduate students at the University of North
<br />Carolina - Chapel Hill. The organization strives to
<br />solarize affordable housing in the surrounding
<br />community to help mitigate emissions and energy
<br />burdens. They have been a major stakeholder in the
<br />solarization of 15 HFH homes in Orange County,
<br />providing both funding and solar panels. Moreover,
<br />SolarEquity spends time educating the community and
<br />University on the importance of renewable energy and
<br />its ability to reduce high energy burdens for low-income
<br />peoples.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />NC Solar Now:
<br />NC Solar Now is a trusted solar installer in the state of
<br />North Carolina. Recently, they have designed and
<br />installed systems on homes across Orange County,
<br />West Raleigh Presbyterian Church, the Inn at Governors
<br /> Club, and iPearl Inc. They have helped several
<br />non-profits solarize buildings and are eager to play a
<br />role in solarizing affordable housing as evidenced by
<br />their generous discounted prices to the Peach
<br />Apartments project.
<br />
<br />
<br />East Chapel Hill Rotary:
<br />East Chapel Hill Rotary has been a major player in the
<br />solarization of HFH homes in Orange County over the
<br />past two years. The group has helped solicit the
<br />donation of solar panels and assisted with grant funding.
<br /> Local Rotarians have been influential in lobbying other
<br />HFH affiliates to adopt solar. They helped author a solar
<br />manual, accepted by Habitat International, that outlines
<br />how to add rooftop solar for Habitat affiliates.
<br />
<br />GiveSolar:
<br />GiveSolar is a nonprofit social impact organization that
<br />aims to assist other non-profit organizations and
<br />homeowners with low income to gain access to solar
<br />energy through organizing community-based mutual aid.
<br /> They have significant experience in both extending
<br />solar to low-income communities and educating their
<br />tenants on the value of solar energy. They are currently
<br />collaborating on a two-year project with Habitat for
<br />Humanity Virginia and Solar United Neighbors that aims
<br />to implement solar programs within multiple Habitat
<br />affiliates around the state of Virginia. As a part of the
<br />program, GiveSolar has created fridge magnets that will
<br />help decrease energy demand. Give Solar Director, Jeff
<br />Heie, has agreed to donate 10 of these magnets to
<br />EmPOWERment.
<br />
<br />
<br />Maxeon Solar:
<br />Maxeon is an independent designer and manufacturer of
<br /> solar panels across the world. They are renowned for
<br />their solar innovation and are using their breaking edge
<br />technologies to fight against climate change. Maxeon is
<br />considering partnering with EmPOWERment to solarize
<br />the Peach Apartments, EmPOWERment’s Midway
<br />Business Center, and several of their rental properties in
<br /> Orange County.
<br />
<br />Kenan Institute:
<br />The Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise
<br /> develops and promotes innovative, market-based
<br />solutions to vital economic issues. With the belief that
<br />private enterprise is the cornerstone of a prosperous and
<br /> free society, the institute fosters the entrepreneurial
<br />spirit to stimulate economic prosperity and improve the
<br />lives of people in North Carolina, across the country and
<br />around the world. Although they have minimal
<br />experiences installing rooftop solar on low-income
<br />housing in their community, the Institute believes that
<br />the mission of both SolarEquity and EmPOWERment
<br />aligns seamlessly with their own, prompting them to
<br />dedicate $500 to this solar project.
<br />
<br />
<br />Although not experienced within the solar industry, EI
<br />has been in frequent communication with SolarEquity
<br />and NC Solar Now to ensure the smooth solarization of
<br />the PEACH Apartments. NC Solar Now has designed
<br />and shared several proposals that prioritize both
<br />financial feasibility and community impact. They have
<br />been solarizing residences and businesses in the state
<br />since 2010 and are renowned for their ongoing support
<br />and customer service. SolarEquity serves as a liaison
<br />between EI and NC Solar Now and is responsible for
<br />much of the fundraising leg work. EI, SolarEquity, and
<br />NC Solar Now’s full fledged commitment to the solar
<br />project is underlined by each organization’s desire to
<br />create positive change in their community. By
<br />encouraging the deployment of solar in the region, this
<br />project strengthens the local solar industry which
<br />provides good paying jobs to people of all educational
<br />backgrounds.
<br />EmPOWERment employs 1 Orange County resident full
<br />time and 1 Orange County residents part time.
<br />DocuSign Envelope ID: EB7B9CC8-B910-4965-AF93-0969E3E03E78
|