Homeless shelter powers own electricity

Riverside Emergency Shelter has found a way to cut down on electricity costs so that the money saved on electricity can be used for improving the shelter. The homeless shelter in Riverside, California started using solar energy last June 2009.

The shelter received a $580,000 investment from a South Coast Air Quality Management District grant, the Riverside Public Utilities, and the city’s Development Department to be able to build its own solar power system.

“We were paying around $2,700 a month in power bills,” said Path of Life Ministries administrator Tracy Fitzsimmons. “All that money will (now) go right back to offering direct services to the homeless.”
The Riverside Emergency Shelter takes in about 600 pre-teens and teens every year.

According to city spokesman Austin Carter, Riverside currently has enough solar power to provide electricity to around 900 homes. He added that the city’s solar energy has already been generating electricity for the City Hall, low-income housing units, a senior center, train stations, and city pool facilities.

Financial incentives from the California Solar Initiative await those who live in investor-owned utilities.