Gemeinschaft Home
  • Gemeinschaft Home
  • About Us
    • Mission & Vision
    • What We Do
    • Employees & Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • History
    • Racial Equality Statement
  • Programs
    • Men >
      • VADOC Program
      • Day Reporting Center
    • Women >
      • Day Reporting Center
    • Self-Pay Program
  • Media
    • Blog
    • In the News
  • Get Involved
  • Donate
  • Contact

Gemeinschaft Home Goes SOLAR in Community Project

9/1/2019

 
Picture
Picture
Picture
On June 14, Gemeinschaft Home hosted an event to install a 25.0 kilowatts solar panel system on the main house and program building.  A project spearheaded by Give Solar (http://give.solar), a local organization led by Jeff Heie, in collaboration with community partners, including general contractors and solar energy service Green Hill Solar (http://greenhillsolar.org), the “solar barn-raising” combined the efforts of community experts, volunteers, and Gemeinschaft Home residents to install the panels in one afternoon.

The project will enable Gemeinschaft Home to save about 80% of current energy costs (approximately $5,000 each year for up to 25 years) that can be used instead to support the organization’s programs and services. A significant part of Give Solar’s mission is to help fundraise for the project, with as little output of resources from the organization as possible, as well as to coordinate with professional contractors and solar energy experts to ensure the appropriate installation and maintenance of each system.

Over the last few years, Give Solar has provided solar panel installations for Eastern Mennonite University, Gift & Thrift, and Our Community Place (OCP) in Harrisonburg. Specifically, Give Solar seeks to help nonprofits in which those served by the organization can immediately benefit from the solar system installation. Because our program participants either live full-time or receive direct services at Gemeinschaft Home, the organization was selected by Give Solar as a project recipient.

The total cost of Gemeinschaft Home’s solar system installation was $32,310 ($1.29/kw). Starting with a grant from the Merck Foundation, Give Solar raised additional funds through large contributions from community sponsors, as well as small gifts from crowdfunding sources and in-kind donations, for a total amount of $25,009. While we ultimately fell short of the total fundraising goal, the energy savings that the organization will see over the next couple years will cover the difference, while still providing energy savings overall.

On July 19, Gemeinschaft Home hosted a formal ceremony to turn on the solar system—or “flip the switch”—and the electrical system of the house immediately began to make use of energy generated by the new system. We are proud of this project and ever grateful to the people who made it possible, from the generous contributors to the volunteers who gave their time, energy, and labor. Thank you for helping us to make our community stronger and better equipped to serve others.

Picture
Jeff Heie (of Give Solar) and Kurt Blosser (drone photography).
Picture
Volunteers enjoying a lunch break.

Comments are closed.

    Archives

    October 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    July 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    April 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    April 2017
    December 2016
    April 2016
    December 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    April 2015
    December 2014

© 2023 Gemeinschaft Home, 501(c)(3) nonprofit
P.O. BOX 288 Harrisonburg, VA 22803

Website by J.L. Jacovitch & Associates
RESTART login
  • Gemeinschaft Home
  • About Us
    • Mission & Vision
    • What We Do
    • Employees & Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • History
    • Racial Equality Statement
  • Programs
    • Men >
      • VADOC Program
      • Day Reporting Center
    • Women >
      • Day Reporting Center
    • Self-Pay Program
  • Media
    • Blog
    • In the News
  • Get Involved
  • Donate
  • Contact