Watch WNEP Coverage of SEEDS and Habitat Partnership – resulting in FIRST SOLAR INSTALLATION on a Habitat home in PA!

To view August 14, 2014 WNEP news coverage, click here:  http://wnep.com/2014/08/14/power-to-save-solar-energy-at-habitat-for-humanity-home/

SEEDS (Sustainable Energy Education and Development Support) of Northeastern PA and Habitat for Humanity of Wayne County Pennsylvania partnered to introduce solar technology to Habitat families.

Last year, SEEDS approached Habitat for Humanity  to introduce them to solar technology. Habitat was already dedicated to building energy efficiency homes for their families, but were not familiar with solar.

SEEDS is a local non-profit organization dedicated to promoting renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable living. Habitat is dedicated to building energy efficiency homes for qualified families who might not otherwise be able to afford a home. Keeping energy costs down, and maximizing energy efficiency helps Habitat families succeed in their home ownership.

SEEDS’ objective was to compare the energy use before and after the solar installation so that energy savings could be analyzed. SEEDS hopes that this experience will result in Habitat using solar technology on future homes.

In May, the John and Helen Villaume Foundation awarded SEEDS a grant to purchase a solar thermal hot water system. In June, SEEDS volunteers worked with Habitat volunteer to select a home. Several were considered and evaluated using a solar pathfinder device. In late June, a home was selected, and the system was ordered. A Habitat home owner, Cindy Mills of Waymart PA received the system and it was installed on July 7th, 2014.  Her roof was pointed in a good direction, allowing for maximum sun throughout the day, and she had no trees shading the spot were the panel would be installed. The entire process would not be possible without the generous donation of time and expertise from Blair Buselli of Buselli Solutions, a family run heating/plumbing/electrical and now SOLAR business based in Beach Lake, PA. Blair received his first solar training through a SEEDS sponsored program in 2009.  Blair has since become a PA and NY approved solar installer, and is a NABCEP (The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) Certified Installer.

SEEDS is grateful to all the Habitat volunteers for their enthusiasm on this partnership. We wish to thank all our SEEDS volunteers who made this happen. And we would also like to thank Cindy, who is so enthusiastic about her new solar thermal system, and has allowed us to tour her home with press and folks who want to see the system and learn more about it.

Cindy’s electricity use will be monitored to see what the energy savings are from her new solar thermal system. SEEDS hopes this installation teaches others about solar technology. We are happy to have partnered with Habitat, brining solar technology to lower income families, and we hope this experience leads to other solar installations.

Although solar systems have been used on Habitat homes in other states, we have not yet been able to find an instance of this happening in Pennsylvania.  SEEDS and Habitat for Humanity of Wayne County may be making a bit of history here!

SEEDS Videos:

Solar Installer Blair Buselli talks about how a solar thermal hot water system works

Buselli Part 2

Habitat home owner Cindy,talks about her new solar thermal hot water system

Wayne County Habitat President Mark Graziadio, talks about the benefits of solar

Clyde Kreider- Head of Wayne County Habitat Building Committee

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Wayne County Pennsylvania, call (570) 251-8115 or email hfh18431@verizon.net.