GRID Alternatives and HeroHomes team up to save money for a veteran family with equipment and system design & engineering donated by Standard Solar

Purcellville, VA; September 21, 2016 – Local veteran Brian Haas celebrated today the installation of a rooftop solar system on his new home that will save him and his wife $1,000 each year on their electricity bills. The work was done by local volunteers and veteran job trainees led by GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic, an organization that makes solar power and job training accessible to underserved communities. Mr. Haas’s home is being built for him by the nonprofit HeroHomes, which works to provide disabled veterans the pride of homeownership.

Brian Haas joined the Army in 1996, fulfilling his dream of becoming a helicopter pilot. Over the next seven years, Brian acquired over 1,550 hours of combat flight time, and over 2,500 hours total, earning his Master Wings. In 2013, due to a hard landing, Brian suffered a severe back injury. Eventually, Brian Haas was relocated to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he has lived the past two-and-a-half years.

“HeroHomes is excited to partner with Grid Alternatives to install leading edge solar technology to produce a clean, renewable energy efficient home for a disabled veteran and his family in Purcellville, Virginia.  This partnership is especially important to HeroHomes as we continue to research and implement technologies and best practices for green building,” said Scott Gessay of HeroHomes. HeroHomes was formed last year, receiving its 501(c)3 designation in October 2015. HeroHomes was established to build houses for those who have fought for the preservation of freedom and democracy for others. These deserving vets and their families cannot regain what they lost defending our country, but HeroHomes gives them a new start in building a solid foundation for their future and the dignity of an independent life in a wonderful small town community setting.

Today’s solar installation is part of GRID Alternatives’ national Troops to Solar initiative, a job training program supported by the Wells Fargo Foundation that will provide hands-on training and job connections to over 1,000 U.S. military veterans and active service members across the country. While the veterans learn and apply their skills, they also help families in need, including other veterans like Mr. Haas, live more affordably in their homes. Through this national initiative, GRID Alternatives leverages its partnerships across the solar industry and its national solar resume bank to help connect veteran trainees with companies that are hiring. This solar installation trained sailors from the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD), as well as other active duty military.

“Our first Troops to Solar build is a great example of how GRID’s mission serves everyone; we are providing job training to veterans and active duty military to help them make a smooth transition from one career to another. We are happy to install solar in Virginia, and look forward to seeing where our partnership-providing deserving veterans housing with HeroHomes takes us!” said Nicole Steele, Executive Director of GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic.

The equipment, system design and engineering for today’s installation was generously donated by Standard Solar, a national leader in the full-service development, installation and financing of solar electric systems based in Rockville, MD. “When we were approached and asked to donate the materials and design services for a solar install on a Hero Homes home, we jumped at the chance,” said Scott Wiater, president & CEO of Standard Solar. “As a former U.S. Army helicopter pilot, veterans’ issues — and organizations like Hero Homes — are particularly near to my heart. To give Brian an opportunity to benefit from the cost savings of a solar energy system gives me — and our company — a great deal of pride and satisfaction.”

Speakers included Nicole Steele of GRID Alternatives, Scott Wiater of Standard Solar, Jason Brownell of HeroHomes, homeowner Brian Haas, Mayor of Purcellville Kwasi Fraser, and Director of Outreach for Congresswoman Comstock, Dave Stegmaier. After the speaking event, everyone enjoyed a lunch generously donated by local restaurant in Leesburg, Travinia Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar.

About GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic

GRID Alternatives is the nation’s largest non-profit solar installer, bringing clean energy technology and job training to low-income families and underserved communities through a network of community partners, volunteers, and philanthropic supporters. GRID Alternatives has installed 7,366 rooftop solar systems with a combined installed capacity of 19.4MW, saving $204 million in lifetime electricity costs, preventing 568,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, and providing over 27,000 people with solar training. GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic launched in September 2014, and currently serves low-income families in Maryland, DC, and Virginia.

www.gridalternatives.org/midatlantic

About HeroHomes
HeroHomes is a 501(c)3 not for profit foundation established to build houses for those who have fought for the preservation of freedom and democracy for others. These deserving vets and their families cannot regain what they lost defending our country, but we can give them a new start in building a solid foundation for their future and the dignity of an independent life in a wonderful small town community setting. We provide the opportunity for disabled veterans to rejoin society with the security and pride of homeownership. HeroHomes works alongside established veteran support organizations to identify and place deserving and injured veterans.

www.herohomesloudoun.org.

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Media Contacts:

GRID Alternatives

Name: Nicole Steele

Email address: Nsteele@gridalternatives.org

Phone number: 202-602-0191

HeroHomes:

Name: Scott Gessay
Email Address: scottgessay@gmail.com

Phone Number: 703-407-0153