Powering Homes with Sunlight

Nate Paul squints as the late summer morning light reflects into his eyes. “Do you see the panels up there?” he asks, pointing to the roof of his Los Balcones stucco row home on West Norris Street. “Those are the solar energy systems, placed right where the sunlight hits the most. You can tell, they’re working right now,” he laughs shading his eyes from the glare.

The solar panels installed on Nate’s roof in 2004 are part of the Norris Square Solar Project, an alternative energy project using solar photovoltaic systems to directly convert sunlight into electricity. Financed by PECO and TRF’s Sustainable Development Fund, the Norris Square Project, the largest photovoltaic project in the city to date, with 1.2 kilowatt systems installed on eight homes. It is the first of SDF’s 36 million kWh energy creation or conservation projects to directly benefit local residents of affordable housing in Philadelphia.

Home solar energy systems serve multiple purposes, producing clean energy that conserves resources while reducing utility bills. Nate, who is currently saving to purchase a home for his family, already sees a drop in his electric bill and credits SDF for bringing awareness to his energy consumption.

“Every month now my wife and I analyze our electric bill,” explains Nate. “And as we save, I wonder -- are we still wasting energy? Can we cut back more? We can’t continue living on this planet burning and wasting natural resources. We have to find new ways to be efficient and look out for future generations.” And with SDF’s help, families like Nate’s are able to save energy and money while contributing to a greener and cleaner future for the region.