Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit organization that builds and renovates affordable homes for people with lower household incomes. They aim to create “a world where everyone has a decent place to live” and have helped more than 59 million people improve their living conditions since 1976.
Habitat for Humanity has a long history of partnering with solar companies to reduce energy costs for low-income families in the U.S. and abroad.
Solar panels are a long-lasting solution that can help reduce energy costs in communities facing high energy burdens. They help families save on energy costs and free up resources for other essential expenses.
Faced with concerns about inflation and rising electricity bills, many communities are investing in solar energy systems to reduce costs.
In early 2024, Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia and Exact Solar partnered to install solar systems on newly constructed homes in Philadelphia’s Strawberry Mansion neighborhood, helping families access affordable, sustainable energy.
“As we look back on President Jimmy Carter’s legacy, we at Exact Solar feel very grateful to Solarize Philly for bringing us this project and to Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia for allowing us to contribute in some small but meaningful way to something that’s become a global movement.”
– David Hammes, Exact Solar Sales Engineer for the Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia project
Remembering Jimmy Carter’s Legacy
As the country reflects on President Jimmy Carter’s life and legacy, we at Exact Solar are grateful to have contributed to something that meant so much to him. While he didn’t found Habitat for Humanity, his dedication and hands-on work made it a household name.
Not long after leaving the White House, Carter rolled up his sleeves and went to work. He built homes for families in need, often sleeping in church basements during projects. He and Rosalynn Carter remained active on-site as recently as 2018, hammering boards at 93 and 90 years old!
His passion for service extended to clean energy as well. Decades ago, he put solar panels on the White House, a bold step that later inspired one of our very own customers to go solar decades later.
We’re honored to have played a small role in Habitat for Humanity’s mission and grateful for President Carter’s lasting impact on housing, sustainability, and service.
Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia’s Project Needs
In late 2023, an anonymous donor made a generous contribution to Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia with a vision to bring solar energy to the new residents of the Strawberry Mansion project. They understood that lowering monthly utility costs helps families take meaningful steps toward long-term financial stability.
With funding secured, Ed McColly, Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia’s Director of Real Estate Development, began the search for a solar installer.
Ed prioritized finding a company willing to offer an extended workmanship warranty, ensuring that homeowners would have no issues with their solar systems for years to come. He also wanted to avoid solar leases, making sure each family would own their system outright from day one.
Selecting Exact Solar
For Ed, hiring a highly experienced and certified installer was critical, given the unique nature of the project.
Typically, installing solar on five separate rowhomes would mean treating them as five individual residential projects. However, because the homes were funded by an anonymous donor and built as a single development, they needed an installer capable of handling one large-scale commercial project.
The challenge? Installing five separate solar systems simultaneously, each connected to its own dedicated meter. The image below shows how it all came together.
Exact Solar is one of the few installers in the region with the expertise and certifications to take on a project of this scale, so it was a natural fit.
On the recommendation of Solarize Philly, an initiative by the Philadelphia Energy Authority to expand access to solar, Ed reached out to Exact Solar. Having previously spotted one of our billboards along I-476, he was excited to discover that a local company he already knew also came so highly recommended.
Design and Installation Challenges
This project presented three unique challenges, but with Exact Solar’s expertise and experience, we were fully equipped to handle them:
- Ensuring maximum electricity output in limited space
- Complying with Strawberry Mansion’s Historical Building Codes
- Installing solar on flat roofs without penetrating them
Strawberry Mansion’s Historical Rules
Strawberry Mansion, like many historic neighborhoods, has strict guidelines about the visibility of external equipment on homes. Any large utility equipment must be hidden and not significantly alter the building’s exterior. To meet this requirement, Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia chose black metal screens to conceal equipment.
The solar components needed to fit within the dimensions of these screens, as well. Exact Solar painted the conduit (the metal pipes that protect the wiring) to match the siding color. We also placed the combiner boxes and shutoff switches behind the black screens, ensuring they were hidden were not visible from the street.
Installing Solar on Flat Roofs
The flat roofs presented another challenge: installing solar panels without compromising the system’s efficiency or violating the neighborhood’s historical regulations.
The solar system could not be visible from the street, and we couldn’t drill into the roofs, as that would risk water pooling. However, we still needed the system to withstand wind loads and last for decades.
To overcome this, we chose Unirac RM5 Racking. This is ballasted racking that uses heavy weights to hold panels in place rather than screws or bolts. The racking has a 5% tilt, allowing us to angle the panels toward the sun while keeping them hidden below the parapet walls. This ensures maximum energy production while adhering to Strawberry Mansion’s historical guidelines.
Ensuring Maximum Electricity Output in Limited Space
The flat roofs had parapet walls around the perimeter, which we had to stay clear of to comply with fire code requirements. This limited the roof space available for the solar system, so we needed to reconfigure the system’s design and use high-efficiency components.
To make the most of the available space, we used VSUN 400W monocrystalline panels and Enphase’s IQ8 microinverters. These high-efficiency components provided the maximum possible output within the space constraints, all while staying within Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia’s budget.
These five high-efficiency solar systems will cover most or all of the homeowners’ electricity needs for decades.
Working Hand in Hand With Homebuyers
An essential part of Habitat for Humanity’s model is “sweat equity.” Families in the program volunteer their time during construction. While some help build homes, others contribute in different ways, such as:
- Preparing meals for volunteers
- Clearing debris from build sites
- Writing thank-you notes to donors
- Attending homeowner classes
Exact Solar’s installation crews worked alongside these families as they put in hours toward building their futures.
As construction neared completion, some families closed on their homes before the solar installation was fully finished. This meant clear communication was critical.
Exact Solar coordinated closely with Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia and the new homeowners, scheduling work at convenient times to minimize disruption as families moved in.
Once each family settled into their home, our team met with them to explain how their solar system worked, how it would reduce their electricity bills, and what to expect in terms of maintenance. We’ve remained their direct point of contact for any questions.
After installation and system testing, Exact Solar received permission to operate (PTO) and officially turned on all five solar systems, providing these families with clean, reliable energy.
Solarize Philly’s Ribbon-Cutting
To celebrate the project’s completion and kick-off Solarize Philly’s 2024 Solar Week, a ribbon-cutting press conference was held at the job site. Speakers included Exact Solar’s David Hammes, along with Philadelphia City Council Members Nina Ahmad, Rue Landau, and Nicolas O’Rourke, as well as other leaders in the city’s local solar industry.
“Each of these five solar energy systems will save the homeowner more than $40,000 over their lifetime. That’s more than $1000 each year that each family can put to better use.”
– David Hammes, Sales Engineer at Exact Solar
Expanding Financial Stability Through Solar
With their solar energy systems installed, each family will have at least 75% of their monthly electricity costs covered. Because these high-efficiency homes are all-electric and equipped with Energy Star-rated appliances, families will keep even more money in their pockets each year. These are funds that can go toward essentials like groceries, healthcare, and education.
Lower energy costs create a ripple effect. For families managing tight budgets, every dollar saved can be used elsewhere, helping to build long-term financial security.
The benefits go beyond lower bills. Solar also helps families build home equity. Homes with solar typically appraise higher, and while many Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia homeowners plan to stay long-term, owning a paid-off solar system strengthens their financial position if they ever choose to refinance or sell.
Ways to Make a Difference
If this story resonates with you, there are a few meaningful ways to support families in securing stable housing and lowering their energy costs:
- Volunteer or Donate to Habitat for Humanity – Whether you lend a hand on a build site or make a financial contribution, your support helps provide safe, affordable homes for families.
Donate to Habitat for Humanity here
Sign up to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia here
- Support Solar for Affordable Housing – Give Solar partners with Habitat for Humanity to bring solar to homes, reducing energy costs for families long-term.
Donate to Give Solar here
Sign up to volunteer with Give Solar here
- Expand Access to Solar Globally – Twende Solar brings electricity to communities without reliable power. If you want to help a family move from no electricity to a solar-powered home, this is a great way to contribute.
Donate to Twende Solar here
Thinking About Solar for Your Home or Business?
Solar energy can lower your electricity bills, reduce carbon emissions, and add value to your home. While the upfront investment may seem like a lot, the long-term savings, especially with the benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act, make it a smart decision for many homeowners.
If you’re interested in exploring if solar is the right option for your home or business, we’d love to help! Reach out to us today for a free consultation with our team of solar experts.