Three small affordable houses in Carrboro, known as Pee Wee Homes, are now powered by solar energy through a pilot program that will reduce low-to-moderate income residents’ electricity bills and expand access to renewable energy.
These installations are Carrboro’s first completed projects through phase two of Solarize the Triangle, an initiative to bring solar electricity to low-to-moderate income households, spearheaded by the Central Pines Regional Council. 
The Town partnered with the Central Pines Regional Council, Yes Solar Solutions and Pee Wee Homes to install solar units on three newly built homes intersecting Hill and Broad Street. 
Carrboro Chief Sustainability Officer Amy Armbruster said each solar installation cost the Town approximately $10,000, though the installations were free to the tenants. She said the solar units are expected to cut resident’s electricity bills by $30 a month and 50 percent over the 25-year life span of the solar panels. 
Pee Wee Homes is a local nonprofit that provides affordable tiny homes, ranging from 260 to 400 square feet, to people transitioning out of homelessness and community members earning at or below 30 percent of the area median income. Renters typically pay between $210 and $500 a month. 
The three Hill Street homes were built on land that was previously owned by the Town. The parcels were identified as possible options for affordable housing and the Town conveyed the land to Pee Wee Housing in 2021 under the condition that the properties remain affordable for 99 years. 
Armbruster said the homes were good candidates for the solar program because Pee Wee Homes had developed the homes with energy-efficient features including electric heat pumps and energy saving appliances. 
“The idea behind this program is that, in many cases, low-to-moderate income residents are the most vulnerable to climate harm,” Armbruster said.
Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee said the initial cost of installing solar can be a barrier for low-income households. She said the program gives residents the opportunity to benefit from solar without undertaking additional expenses. 
“We want to bring everybody along,” she said. “We want everyone to have an equal opportunity in all that we’re doing with advancing our climate goals.”
Gabriel Young, a Pee Wee Homes volunteer, said Pee Wee Homes participated in the program because of the savings solar will provide to the tenants, who pay for their own electricity. 
“We’re doing everything we can to support them in reducing their costs,” he said.
Carrboro Town Council member Jason Merrill said the project combines two of Carrboro’s main goals. 
“It’s kind of the best of both worlds,” he said. “We’re addressing climate change and the affordability crisis all in one fell swoop.” 
Armbruster said the Town will expand the pilot program to include three traditionally sized homes, which are currently being developed. She said the Town will be funding solar installation in two additional homes that have not yet been selected.
The success of the pilot, she said, will be measured by the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and the effects on household energy costs.  
Young said the benefits of the program lie beyond lowering energy costs and reducing emissions. He said the residents of these homes are excited about having solar systems.
“They’re proud of it, just like they’re proud of living in the tiny homes themselves,” he said. 
@DTHCityState | [email protected]

source