Starting 2024 with good news, we’re happy to share an update about the solar installation at Casa Familiar, one of our first SunForAll Solar Fund projects.
After several years of delays during the permitting, construction, and inspection process, the 26 kilowatt solar system on the rooftop of Living Rooms at the Border is officially operational and creating solar savings for the families that live there!
Through SunForAll financing, Casa Familiar Living Rooms, which comprises 10 units of affordable housing and the newly renovated historic Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church built in 1927 (now known as El Salon), is solarized. El Salon serves as a hub for Casa Familiar’s programs and community events.
The mission of Casa Familiar is to enhance the quality of life for people living in underserved and underrepresented communities. In the heart of San Ysidro and less than one mile from the U.S.-Mexico Border, this solar installation helps Casa Familiar do more than just save money on utility expenses; it also fosters sustainable growth, cultural preservation, and is part of a larger plan to improve air quality.
Casa Familiar residents and the surrounding community are learning about the benefits that clean and reliable energy sources can provide. Lisa Cuestas, President and CEO of Casa Familiar shared:
“Living Rooms at the Border is an innovative project that intertwines community programming, affordable housing, and sustainability technology. These solar panels power our community theater, air quality monitors, and 10 affordable housing units, help our community reap the benefits of sustainable technology and environmental justice initiatives in San Ysidro. This would not have been possible without the support from BQuest Foundation.”
This installation at Casa Familiar will save the nonprofit and their tenants over $300,000 in utility expenses over the lifetime of the solar system and will mitigate 704 metric tons of C02 from the atmosphere. This equates to removing 152 gasoline-powered cars from the road for an entire year or planting 833 acres of forest!
Continuing in their dedication to sustainability and community development, Casa Familia is currently developing La Semilla, an award-winning neighborhood-scale environmental justice and climate resiliency project bringing together art, community, and greening. This new multi-purpose space located in San Ysidro will feature a garden, a solar-powered meeting space, electric vehicle charging, and other features that demonstrate affordable resiliency strategies.
The SunForAll Solar Fund is a unique solar financing program that provides philanthropic funding for nonprofits that want to use solar energy to save money on their operations and reduce their environmental impact. Created by CollectiveSun and financed by BQuest Foundation, SunForAll helps nonprofits access the benefits that come with solar energy.
If you know a nonprofit that could benefit from solar financing or want to explore ways your organization can move toward a more sustainable future, please connect with us at info@bquestfoundation.org.
All images courtesy of Casa Familiar*