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A newly installed solar energy system at TLC Child & Family Services in Sebastopol is expected to save the nonprofit about $700,000 in electricity costs over more than 25 years, freeing up money for programs serving foster youth and families across Sonoma County.
Taylor Energy, a Sonoma County solar installer, and five business partners donated the 30-kilowatt rooftop system, recently installing it at TLC’s campus at 1800 Highway 116 N.
“Giving back to the community where we live and work has always been a big part of our business. TLC is a vital local organization, and we saw how much they would benefit if they weren’t spending so much on energy,” said Sean Taylor, president and founder.
The projected savings could support 20,011 nights of housing for foster youth or 2,802 mental health sessions for youth and families, according to project estimates based on TLC’s historical service costs.
The nonprofit also calculated that the savings could cover 1,191 operating days for a homeless youth drop-in center or orthodontic treatment for 171 foster youth. Those figures represent alternative uses of the same projected savings, not separate funding commitments.
TLC, founded in 1975, provides foster care and adoption services, behavioral health treatment, housing assistance and specialized education through Journey Academy.
“TLC is extremely grateful for Taylor Energy and its partners donating and installing solar panels at our campus in Sebastopol. This generous gift will provide substantial savings in utilities expenses for the next 25 years and beyond,” said Troy Niday, CEO of TLC.
According to its 2025 annual report, TLC received nearly 73% of its funding from state and local sources and devoted about 73% of its expenditures to programs. The organization reported that 82% of foster youth in its care were reunited with family members or adopted, while 91% of students at its Journey Academy increased their school attendance.
Taylor Energy designed and installed the system, while SEG Solar supplied panels, Enphase Energy provided microinverter technology, IronRidge supplied mounting equipment, CED Greentech participated as an equipment distributor, and Santa Rosa-based Exchange Bank provided support.
The donation comes amid difficulties for the residential solar industry following the expiration of the 30% federal residential clean energy tax credit at the end of 2025. Taylor Energy said it has experienced the industry slowdown.
The company has previously coordinated donated solar installations at West County Health Centers in Occidental, Greenacres Homes & School in Sebastopol, The Living Room women’s shelter in Santa Rosa, and an orphanage in Mexico. Taylor Energy estimates those projects will collectively save the organizations more than $1.7 million over their operating lives.
Beyond utility savings, Taylor Energy estimates the TLC installation’s lifetime emissions reductions will be equivalent to taking about 96 passenger vehicles off the road for one year, using Environmental Protection Agency conversion factors.
Taylor Energy finished the TLC installation during a community celebration Oct. 9.
Jeff Quackenbush joined North Bay Business Journal in May 1999. Reach him at jeff@nbbj.news or 707-521-4256.
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