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September 10, 2019

Investors sought for solar project aimed at helping homeless

PHOTO | New Haven Biz New construction on Plymouth Street in New Haven includes three units for people receiving assistance through Columbus House.
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

Installing solar arrays in housing for the homeless helps in two ways: It’s less expense for the non-profit organizations providing assistance, and it’s better for the environment.

Those involved in New Haven Community Solar (NHCS) hope to attract community investors who want their money to directly help not only people, but the planet.

The money raised will go toward the installation of solar panels and negotiation of contracts for discounted power for Columbus House, giving it access to low-cost electricity. Based at 586 Ella T. Grasso Boulevard, Columbus House serves the homeless and people at risk of becoming so. 

NHCS’ website at newhavencommunitysolar.com is advertising the investment effort.  NHCS is raising money through MainVest, a community investment platform and crowdfunding portal based in Salem, Mass. According to MainVest, it allows people to invest in businesses or organizations they care about, while potentially sharing in their success. 

Individuals can invest as little as $50 with the potential to see financial returns, according to Isabel Strobing, MainVest’s community manager.

NHCS needs investors for this year’s Jim Vlock First Year Building Project, a partnership between Columbus House and the Yale School of Architecture. 

Through the project, Yale students design and build a house in an “economically challenged” New Haven neighborhood. The project, begun in 1967, is a requirement for all first-year Yale School of Architecture graduate students.

Last year, the students did a solar project on Button Street in New Haven. This year, they are attempting to crowd-fund the capital needed to install an 11.24 kW array on Plymouth Street. 

This week, Yale students were busy working to finish the Plymouth Street house, which is scheduled to be ready for an open house later this month. 

Yale student Heather Schneider said the site had been an empty lot when they arrived earlier this year. Now, the house is nearly finished.

“It’s been an awesome experience, to design the house, draw it, and then build it — you get to experience it all,” Schneider said. 

Although her internship concluded in August, Schneider and other workers were continuing work this week to get it finished, as she said they all know it is for a good cause.

“We’re motivated to get it done and make it look nice,” Schneider said. 

Once finished, this year’s project will contain three units for people receiving help from Columbus House. 

Strobing said in an announcement she is “excited” to see MainVest being used in new ways to help communities.

“This project falls at a unique intersection between affordable housing and green energy,” Strobing said. “It’s an opportunity to involve the community in a project specifically aimed at serving the community, both by combating homelessness and providing discounted, clean energy.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, the campaign had raised $5,587 toward a target of $33,601.

For more information on the campaign, visit mainvest.com/businesses/new-haven-community-solar.

Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.

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