Since we opened our doors in late 2014, our staff has been busy planting over half a million trees in the Mid-Atlantic region. JUST KIDDING. But, our efforts installing clean energy in DC, Maryland, and Virginia has had the same environmental impact!
We have installed 940kW of solar PV systems in the Mid-Atlantic since our launch in 2014. (And by early next year, we will hit 1 MegaWatt installed!) Fossil fuel produced energy is the largest contributor to climate change, and clean solar energy displaces the fossil fuels that would otherwise be burned to produce energy. Throughout the whole of human history, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been below 300 parts per million. With accelerated global development, carbon dioxide is now at 407 parts per million, resulting in rapidly rising temperatures. We need to do all we can to mitigate climate change.
The 940kW of solar we have installed will prevent over 25,000 tons of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere over the next 25 years. 25,000 tons of greenhouse gases eliminated is the equivalent of planting over half a million trees, or taking 4,600 cars off the road for a year.
The financial benefits of this clean, renewable energy go exclusively to low-income homeowners and tenants in Maryland, DC, and Virginia. Even though the cost of solar has been dropping, a rooftop residential solar PV system can cost over $10,000, making solar energy inaccessible to underserved communities. Our mission is to bridge this gap – and involve everyone in this clean energy revolution. With 940kW installed, we are providing over $4.8 million in savings to individuals and families in need.
The science on climate change is clear. 97% of scientists agree that climate change is real, human caused, and creating significant, devastating impacts on the planet and its people. Low-income communities and countries will be disproportionately impacted and have the least access to resources to combat these effects, even though they often contribute the least to the problem. Even while it is difficult to create political consensus for our government to take concrete action to combat climate change – there is plenty we can do as individuals to significantly benefit the planet. What better than promoting clean energy while giving the benefits to people who need it the most?
Support our mission. Be a champion for environmental justice today.
