As the year ends and Exact Solar looks back, we become intensely grateful at how blessed we have been to serve a growing number of customers in southeastern Pennsylvania, and southwestern and central New Jersey. There is nothing more rewarding than satisfied customers that are enjoying long term savings while making a positive change that benefits the environment.
We recognize that our good fortune can and should benefit others. In keeping with our activities focused on the community, the environment, energy policy, and other local activities, we look for opportunities to help others.
To honor our customers and our combined success in solarizing and saving , each year we choose to make contributions both locally and globally in ways consistent with our mission and outlook. For 2019, we’ve chosen one local and two global charities:
Helping Pennsylvanians Go Solar
The Philadelphia Solar Energy Association (PSEA) is a 38 year old, volunteer based local nonprofit dedicated to increasing understanding and use of solar energy in Pennsylvania through education and advocacy. We are eager to see PSEA advance their efforts in training high school students to become solar installers through Bright Solar Futures classes and to help middle school STEM programs through the Junior Solar Sprint, aimed at designing and building solar racers. The organization will also be monitoring and advocating for improving local and state policies which are in the works.
Making a Global Solar Impact
This year we have chosen to donate to organizations that we see helping underserved communities, many of which may not have any opportunity to electrify or connect to a power grid for years to come.
Solar Electric Light Fund — Since 1990, SELF has completed projects in more than 25 countries and pioneered unique applications of solar power such as for drip irrigation in Benin, health care in Haiti, telemedicine in the Amazon rainforest, online learning in South Africa and micro-enterprise development in Nigeria. Each of these novel solar applications provide better quality of life and improved health, as well as business opportunities and economic advancement for populations with scarce choices. Even more inspiring, SELF believes that energy access is essential to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. SELF’s Whole Village Development Model takes an integrated approach to community empowerment by using a mix of solar energy solutions to improve the lives of the 1.5 billion people who don’t have access to electricity around the world.
Power Up Gambia — Similar to SELF, Power Up Gambia defines their mission as one to improve healthcare delivery primarily in The Gambia by providing proven, reliable, and sustainable electricity through solar energy. Hospitals and clinics in The Gambia are still without access to electricity, and solar power generation of electricity will make quality health care possible even in the most remote areas. The organization believes that grassroots efforts that stay connected to projects for the long term are the most effective.
Our gifts this year are our way to celebrate both our customers and the season by paying everyone’s success forward. In particular, these global organizations are proving that solar power can save lives!