Bringing Energy-Efficient Housing to Our Neighborhoods

PG&E can't develop the sustainable community of the future on its own. We need partners. And since 2005, we have been partnering with Habitat for Humanity. Together, we initiated and implemented the Solar Habitat Program, which provides local Habitat for Humanity chapters with PG&E's charitable grants to cover costs for solar-powered systems on houses they build. This reduces the electricity bills of Habitat's low- and moderate-income homeowners by providing them with the latest solar technology and equipment. In addition to funding and technical expertise, PG&E contributes employee volunteers, who help build the homes. The Solar Habitat Program is part of PG&E's commitment to vibrant, innovative 21st-century communities that resonate with true resourcefulness.

Daryl Lee, the corporate relations officer for Habitat for Humanity's East Bay region, is responsible for the innovative relationship with PG&E.

Vickie Malone, a bakery manager and mother of two, is the new owner of a solar-powered home in the East Bay that has resulted from the PG&E-Habitat for Humanity partnership.

Why is the PG&E-Habitat for Humanity program so important?

Lee: The partnership between PG&E and Habitat for Humanity not only helps low-income families keep utility costs down, it also helps make more and better energy available to communities and lessens greenhouse gas emissions for everyone. That's really good for the environment. An added benefit we get from PG&E's solar-powered systems is that during the day, they're like mini power plants because they feed energy back into the grid. It's part of building sustainable neighborhoods, communities, cities and nations.

Malone: I have always taken care of my responsibilities, and that's just what I'm doing now. Owning a home is big. If you own your home, you can do anything. I definitely want to be part of the community and help it in any way I can. We all live here together in this environment, so we all have a responsibility to take care of it and make sure it's healthy for everyone.

When you look at Vickie's new house, you realize that this is a real environmental accomplishment, isn't it?

Lee: Absolutely. We're developing 26 solar homes, including Vickie's, on what was an automobile salvage yard. There used to be burned oil tanks, tires, and car batteries all over the ground. We had to dispose of these environmental eyesores and remove 300,000 yards of soil before we could build and before we could even think about PG&E's solar panels or clean energy.

Malone: My aunt, who raised me after my mother died, always said that you get where you need to go if you take it one mountain at a time. I think we're doing that by building these houses, one at a time, and by helping our communities, one at a time.

Where does this program go from here? What are the expansion plans?

Lee: PG&E has demonstrated huge support for what we're doing, and has even increased its commitment. We're grateful for that. And all the affiliates of Habitat for Humanity in PG&E's service area can take advantage of this program. Ultimately, we can have a deep impact on many communities. That means helping families with affordable housing and affordable energy—and also helping the environment by using clean solar power that adds significantly to sustainability.