Imagine what a gift free electricity would be. Then imagine the impact that it makes on families with lower-income. Plus, it’s good for the environment. That’s exactly what Edward Norton‘s BP Solar Neighbors is all about. By teaming celebrities up with families in need, there is plenty of sunshine to go around.
We recently called out the Solar Neighbors program, as we often here it talked about, but hadn’t seen new information coming in for some time. But it seems the issue is with the website, not the organization.
On Monday, Enterprise announced that Jacob’s Place, a sustainable multi-family (63 units to be exactly) affordable housing development in the South Bronx was complete. The building is equipped with a solar electric system, courtesy of the BP Solar Neighbors program. It is an 11 kilowatt, 64-panel electric power system that will power common area lighting, ventilation and elevators.
Of course, the BP Solar Neighbors program works like this: When a celebrity purchases solar panels for their home, BP donates a similar system to a low-income family. So who purchased panels to allow for this system for Jacob’s Place to be installed? None other than Ecorazzi favorite Owen Wilson.
Edward Norton noted, “Many people perceive environmentally friendly practices as costly and available only to wealthy people, but Jacob’s Place is a great example of the many ways sustainability is being achieved on low-income homes in places like the Bronx. The solar panels we provided through the Solar Neighbors program are only one element of the solutions that dynamic groups like Fordham Bedford are bringing into the equation.”
Another nice thing about Jacob’s Place? It includes 6 classrooms for early childhood development and 7 units reserved for formerly homeless tenants.
We’d like to send our congrats to all parties involved. Sounds like a job well done.
Categories: Home, People.
About Rebecca Carter
Rebecca Carter is the Co-Founder of Ecorazzi. Rebecca was recently featured in the book Hot, Rich, and Green. She is one of 70 eco-achievers featured in Glamour magazine in April 2009, named Best of Green 2010 by Miami Magazine and Best Environmentalist by Miami New Times Best of 2008. She's raising a couple of little boys in Miami and speaks English & Spanish. Find out more at www.RebeccaCarter.net. Follow Rebecca on Twitter: @rebeccacarterView all posts by Rebecca Carter →
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