Powering Habitat Families With Clean, Affordable Energy

Since 2018, GiveSolar has been working to make clean energy more accessible for families who need it most. What began as a local effort grew into a partnership with Habitat for Humanity Virginia in 2021. From there, the work expanded into a national program focused on bringing solar to homeowners who have historically been priced out of it. At its core, our mission is about creating opportunity, stability, and long-term savings for families across the country.

Our director, Jeff Heie, walks a Habitat homeowner through how her new solar system works.

Why Solar Access Matters for Low-Income Families

For many low-income families, electricity bills can eat up as much as 10% of their monthly income. Meanwhile, their middle income neighbors are only paying 3% of their monthly income for electricity. So, when utility rates rise, the pressure falls hardest on those families who can least afford it. Too often, that means choosing between paying the power bill and covering essentials like food, medicine, and rent. By lowering monthly electric bills and making them more predictable, solar helps families regain control over their monthly budgets, build savings, and create a more secure foundation for the future.

Every 5 kilowatt system is designed around the home and family it will serve.

How Our Solar Program Works

Each Habitat family in our program receives a rooftop system that is sized specifically for their home in order to maximize affordability while still fitting on their roof. The average system size is ~5kW, which equates to roughly twelve solar panels. On average, these systems lower a family’s monthly electric bill by about $75. Over the 25 to 30 year lifespan of the system, that adds up to roughly $25,000 to $30,000 in long-term savings. We work alongside trusted solar installers and local Habitat affiliates to design every system around the home and family it will serve.

Solar gives first-time homeowners one less unpredictable cost to plan around.

How Solar Supports First-Time Habitat Homeowners

Solar is one of the most practical ways to help Habitat homeowners build long-term stability. As first-time home buyers, Habitat families face many unfamiliar costs, from utilities and maintenance to insurance and property taxes. Those costs can add up quickly. Lowering their monthly electric bill gives families more room to settle in, set aside savings, plan ahead for repairs, and grow into their homes with more confidence.

GiveSolar has been a Habitat for Humanity partner since 2021.

Bringing Solar to 10,000 Habitat Homes

Our goal for the next five years is to bring solar to 10,000 Habitat homes across the country. Reaching this goal will take partners, donors, and volunteers to join our mission. If you would like to help bring solar to more Habitat families, consider making a donation today. Every donation directly funds new installations and helps us move closer to our 10,000-home goal.