Solar4Us builds community solar projects on underutilized urban sites in Baltimore and allocates the generated clean electricity exclusively to low‑ and moderate‑income households, offering them a 20‑25% discount on their utility bills. By aggregating demand, the nonprofit reduces participants' energy burden, creates local solar construction jobs, and provides educational resources on clean energy and climate change.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Low-income households in Baltimore face disproportionately high energy burdens, spending a large share of their income on electricity, while lacking access to affordable clean energy because they cannot install rooftop solar due to renting, capital constraints, or unsuitable roofs.
Solution
Solar4Us develops community solar projects that generate electricity on shared urban sites such as rooftops, parking lots, or industrial land. The produced solar power is allocated entirely to subscribed low- and moderate‑income (LMI) households, who receive a 20‑25% discount on their Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) bills. By aggregating demand, the nonprofit can secure discounted rates and pass savings to participants, reducing both their energy costs and carbon footprint. The projects also create local jobs through paid apprenticeships and contracting with Baltimore‑based firms, and they provide educational resources for students and residents about solar technology and climate change. Solar4Us seeks additional host sites to replicate this model across the city.
Target Audience
Primary customers are low‑ to moderate‑income households in Baltimore that rent or lack capital for rooftop solar, as well as local contractors, service firms, and community organizations interested in hosting or supporting community solar sites.
Features
- Community solar arrays installed on underutilized urban rooftops, parking lots, or industrial sites, enabling participation without on‑site ownership
- Subscription model that delivers 100% of generated clean energy to LMI households at a 20‑25% discount on utility rates
- Projected household savings of about $200 per year, totaling over $1.1 million across the project lifespan
- Paid solar construction apprenticeships and local contracting opportunities to build workforce capacity in the community
- Educational programs and experiential learning resources for students and residents on solar and climate topics
- Data collection and dissemination of best practices to accelerate similar projects statewide and nationally