Orange County NC Website
D21. W ould your <br />proposed project help <br />you to take <br />advantage of funding <br />from other sources <br />besides this grant in <br />the future? (250 word <br />limit) <br />Successfully completing the roof replacement and solar installation at St. <br />Joseph’s CME Church, expected in early 2026, will further solidify <br />SolarEquity’s credibility. As a student-led organization, we sometimes face <br />skepticism from funders about our capacity to deliver on ambitious <br />projects. However, each successful installation strengthens our track <br />record and builds confidence in our ability to execute. W hile we’ve already <br />facilitated the solarization of 17 Habitat for Humanity homes and the <br />PEACH Apartments, this project marks another critical milestone—one that <br />can help us qualify for and ultimately secure more competitive grants and <br />attract new funding streams, including corporate partnerships. <br />Demonstrating our ability to complete complex, community-centered <br />installations like this one is essential to scaling our impact. <br />D22. Please <br />describe any other <br />aspect of your <br />project that is <br />relevant to the <br />efficient use of grant <br />funds. (150 word <br />limit) <br />SolarEquity doesn’t pay wages to its volunteers, so all granted funds will go <br />directly towards the St. Joseph's CME Church Solar Project. SolarEquity <br />will help the Church’s leadership claim Inflation Reduction Act incentives, <br />combining the standard 30% solar tax credit (received as direct pay due to <br />its tax-exempt status) with an additional 20% credit through Category 4 of <br />the Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program. SolarEquity intends <br />to measure income levels for the area by analyzing the percentage of <br />people who qualify for LIEAP aid, proving that the project is eligible for the <br />bonus tax credit. Due to policy uncertainties, it is possible that we will not <br />receive all the expected IRA tax credits. <br />Assuming the successful claiming of the tax credits, the Church will send <br />$33,000 back to SolarEquity, which we will reinvest in the Northside <br />Neighborhood to continue lowering the energy burden of community <br />members through solar projects. <br />Criterion 4 - Capacity of Applicant This criterion has a maximum score of 3 <br />pts (out of a total of 26 pts). <br />D23. Has your <br />organization <br />completed projects of <br />this type in the past? <br />Yes <br />If so, what funds <br />were used? (100 <br />word limit) <br />SolarEquity was a major stakeholder in the solarization of 17 HFH homes in <br />Hillsborough, NC, fundraising $10,000 and soliciting the donation of 260 <br />panels. SolarEquity also spearheaded the installation of a 42kW system on <br />EmPOW ERment’s PEACH Apartments. Funds came from the Orange <br />County Community Climate Action Fund, Fulbright Bank, Cypress Creek <br />Renewables, and a bevy of individual donors. Currently, the PEACH <br />Apartments project is undergoing a connection issue. Southern <br />Environmental Law Center is handling the case, and we will hopefully hear <br />soon on whether SolarEquity, alongside NC Solar Now, will meter <br />individually or through one master meter. <br />Docusign Envelope ID: F42389BC-2D83-4E00-BC11-D720BFF48873