Single Mom To Get 1st Solar-Powered Home Built By Women Build

LAKE COUNTY, IL — A single mother in Waukegan will become the first recipient of a home powered by solar energy and built by volunteers of Habitat for Humanity's Women Build Initiative. Habitat for Humanity's Women Build Initiative has been around for 28 years in the U.S. and The Sun Company, the country's first national energy company owned solely by woman, donated the solar panels, inverter and installation equipment for the home at 10 Washington Terrace.

The solar panels will be installed on Sept. 21 starting at 9 a.m. and will allow for the production of clean renewable energy, according to a news release.

Those involved in the project say the contribution has not only showcased the use of solar power as a more affordable energy solution for lower-income families hoping to reduce their utility bills but has also inspired the local family receiving the home to consider careers in renewable energy and other traditionally male-dominated professions.

"Electricity is a necessity. But energy costs in certain parts of the country make housing unaffordable, particularly for working-class and lower-income families," Joley Michaelson, CEO of The Sun Company, said. "At The Sun Company, we make housing more affordable by making electricity more affordable. Through innovative renewable energy products and services, like our LIFE program, we help make electricity accessible and affordable while paving the long road back to a healthy climate."

Women Build events provide opportunities for women to take proactive steps in serving their communities and learning new professional skills. A team featuring local volunteers and family members started construction on the Waukegan-based home in May.

"The solar panels dovetail with our goal to build strength, stability, self-reliance and shelter in local communities," added Debbie Murphy, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Lake County. "Energy-use is a large part of every homeowner's monthly payment, and this will help them for years to come."

Rethink Electric is heading up the solar installation with volunteers throughout their company as well as supplying the material, labor and expertise to make this project successful. The solar installation taking place this month will provide the community with valuable experience in one of the fastest-growing tech fields.

More Solar Training Programs Needed North of Chicago

The event, Habitat for Humanity officials say, also showcases the demand for expanding solar training programs to additional areas north of Chicago. Since the passing of the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA), which makes renewable energy an integral part of the state's future, Rethink Electric has added 64 employees in the past year—growing from just six employees to 70, according to the news release.

The company is now the largest solar installation business in the state.

Careers in renewable energy can offer an option for a well-paying career in a fast-growing field.

Tanya Duffie, the single mother receiving the Waukegan home, learned about solar technology from the Women Build project. Duffie and her son are now interested in Illinois' new solar training, but there are currently not any programs close enough to provide them with the necessary education to pursue a career in the field.

For some of the underserved communities north of Chicago, training currently requires three-hour round-trip commutes. The College of Lake County, city of Waukegan and Elevate Energy are working to design a new training program for the area that will ultimately benefit both the planet and the community.

"Solar is a great solution not only for energy generation, but it is also making a difference with poverty," explained Lisa Albrecht of All Bright Solar who helped design and coordinate the project. "In 10 years, the growth of implementation of the solar industry has grown 5,000 times globally and in the US over 240,000 people are employed in the solar industry. And thanks to FEJA, we have had 36 percent job growth in Illinois in the past two years alone."

In addition to The Sun Company and Habitat for Humanity Lake County, other companies involved in the Women Build project include All Bright Solar, Elevate Energy, Go Green Wilmette, Carmaine Means, Rethink Electric and The Kindling Group.

"This definitely has brought us closer together as a family," Duffie said. "By it being our own house, it's even better. We've learned a lot by helping build our own home. This has taught us what partnership is about. It has been a great experience for us as a family to be able to do this."