Solar Neighbors
The price of being poor in Detroit is this:
Households with lower income spend three times more for utilities than those with higher income levels.
Solar Neighbors brings friends and neighbors together to take advantage of significant savings on solar for their homes. Residents of North End Woodward, Hamtramck, Highland Park and surrounding communities have the opportunity to learn about solar, get their questions answered by a trusted and vetted installer, and gain access to solar incentive programs.
Households with low income spend up to 20 percent of their earnings on energy costs, greatly impacting their ability to cover basic needs like food, shelter, and medical expenses. These same households disproportionately bear the burden of environmental and climate shifts that create not only unreliability in energy access, but also price spikes. As a frontline organization committed to creating sustainable communities NEWCC’s Solar Neighbors is spearheading an effort to transition homes in three neighborhoods to renewable energy. Our work will create pathways to resiliency through improved climate preparedness, increased energy security, renewed infrastructure, and heightened economic prosperity.
The goal: 1000 households of low-income families equipped with solar solutions by 2024.
Informational Meeting
Sign up now to join one of our informational meetings and learn about how you can join the movement toward making the Motor City a Solar City!HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR FIRST ANNUAL SOLAR TOUR!
October is Solar Awareness Month, National Energy Awareness Month, Black Energy Awareness Month AND Children’s Environmental Health Month. On October 1, 2022, NEWCC and Solar Neighbors hosted our first annual “Making the Motor City a Solar City Tour.” Participants had opportunities to participate in both in-person and virtual events, along with the opportunity to win a solar generator,among other solar-themed prizes. Lnks to the videos from two of our virtual sessions are below.
Making the Motor City a Solar City Guided Tour (Virtual Session Video)
Financing Your Solar Project (Virtual Session Video)
Charging Stations
To date, NEWCC has installed four solar-powered, WiFi-equipped charging stations throughout the North End. The wifi at these charging stations is accessed anywhere from 200 to more than 500 times each month. They have become neighborhood gathering spots, cultivating community. NEWCC plans to install several more stations throughout the North End in the coming months, ensuring equitable internet and energy access for the community.


Bike Repair Stations
In Spring and Summer of 2022, NEWCC plans to install at least four bike-repair stations throughout the North End, as a complement to the charging stations. The bike-repair stations will be fully equipped with tools, an air pump, and instructional videos on common bike repairs. Our goal is to make biking more accessible for the community and subsequently reduce reliance on high-emission modes of transportation. At least two additional stations are planned for Highland Park, with hopes of expanding into Hamtramck in 2023.


Our solar panel installations:
- Cut residents’ energy bills in half
- Offset 41.5 metric tons of CO2 a year
- Increased investment and resiliency in marginalized neighborhoods
Press
Air, Wind, Solar: In the Great Lakes region, energy stands out in President Biden’s efforts
Great Lakes Now
March 16, 2021
Nonprofit helps a Detroit neighborhood learn about solar
Yale Climate Connections
December 19, 2022
HEAR MORE FROM YALE CLIMATE CONNECTIONS!
Check out this video to learn more about our partnership and installations:
NEWCC has partnered The Honnold Foundation and with solar panel manufacturer REC Group, to install best-in-class solar arrays on 10 land trust homes.
The sun doesn’t just shine on the rich and famous; the sun shines on us all.
Rev. Joan Ross, NEWCC Exectuive Director
Community Impact
500+ Households Wired
Providing Internet access in the North End, Highland Park, and Hamtramck
3,000 Served
Monthly providing emergency food and services to families in 48202, 48203 & 48211
41.5+ metric tons of carbon offset
Our solar power work is offsetting impact on our environment each year
300,000+ Listeners
Potential radio audience listeners on air and online
