Release – GRID Mid-Atlantic to Install No-Cost Solar on Habitat for Humanity Northern Virginia Home
*** MEDIA ADVISORY ***
GRID MID-ATLANTIC TO INSTALL NO-COST SOLAR ON HABITAT FOR HUMANITY NORTHERN VIRGINIA HOME
WHAT: GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic, a regional affiliate of the nation’s largest nonprofit solar installer, and Habitat for Humanity Northern Virginia, which has supported low-to-moderate income families in achieving the dream of affordable homeownership for over 25 years, have partnered to provide the Tesfaye family with a home build and solar power installation. The Tesfaye family went above and beyond by working more than 600 hours to build their new home alongside Habitat for Humanity staff and volunteers, and this Saturday the project will culminate with no-cost solar installed by GRID Mid-Atlantic staff and volunteers from KPMG. This 2.44-kilowatt solar installation will provide the family of four a savings of about $10,000 over the lifetime of the system and will eliminate 64 tons of greenhouse gas emissions — the equivalent of taking 12 cars off the road for a year or planting 1,480 trees. GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic brings together community partners, volunteers and job trainees to implement solar power and energy efficiency for low-income families in Maryland, D.C., Virginia, and Delaware, providing energy cost savings, valuable hands-on experience, and a source of clean, local energy that benefits us all.
WHO: The following individuals will be available for interview:
· Elijah Perry, GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic Director of Development
· Dave Johnson, GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic Solar Installation Supervisor
· Noemi Riveira, Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia Director of Real Estate Development
· Tesfaye Admasu, homeowner
WHERE: Donora Drive, Alexandria VA 22306 (please contact Danny Jones to RSVP and receive full address)
WHEN: Saturday, August 17, 9 am – 2 pm
WHY: Climate change along with energy and housing costs affect low-income communities and communities of color the most. This is an opportunity to see the hands-on work behind climate and housing justice.
Links:
Contact:
GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic contact: Danny Jones, 816-661-9624, djones2@gridalternatives.org
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia: Noemi Riveira, 703-472-2984, noemir@habitatnova.org
About GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic
GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic is an affiliate of GRID Alternatives, a national leader in making clean, affordable solar power and solar jobs accessible to low-income communities and communities of color. Using a unique, people-first model, GRID Mid-Atlantic develops and implements solar projects that serve qualifying households and affordable housing providers, while providing hands-on job training. GRID Mid-Atlantic has installed solar for more than 255 families to-date and helped households and housing providers save $7.7 million in lifetime electricity costs while training over 860 people. For more information, visit www.gridalternatives.org/midatlantic
About Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia’s (Habitat NOVA) unique model of affordable housing focuses on homeownership. Habitat NOVA homeowners secure a no-interest mortgage, while the non-profit secures corporate sponsorships, in-kind donations and volunteer labor to make the homes affordable. Founded in 1990, the non-profit has built or rehabilitated homes for 100 Northern Virginia families. As a local, self-sustaining affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, Habitat NOVA serves the counties of Fairfax and Arlington and the cities of Falls Church, Fairfax and Alexandria. Learn more at www.habitatnova.org
