$400,000 in Duke Energy solar grants awarded to not-for-profit organizations serving low-income Indiana populations

PLAINFIELD, Ind., Nov. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- With $400,000 in funding from Duke Energy, Indiana's key consumer groups are awarding 16 not-for-profit organizations grants to help finance the installation of solar power systems to reduce the energy bills at facilities serving low-income Hoosiers.

The funding comes from a Duke Energy settlement agreement with the Citizens Action Coalition, the Duke Energy Industrial Group, the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, Nucor Steel, Save the Valley, Sierra Club and Valley Watch.

"From a Head Start classroom in Princeton to a 1925 armory converted to affordable apartments for seniors in Columbus, there is a diversity of projects in these grants," said Duke Energy Indiana President Melody Birmingham-Byrd. "These are organizations with environmental goals as well as community-oriented missions."

Titled "Solar Uniting Neighbors," or "SUN," the program provides access to solar energy technology in Indiana. Prosperity Indiana, a community economic development organization, is the program's administrator.

"We are so pleased to be able to support these worthy organizations and their missions of serving vulnerable Hoosiers," said Jennifer Washburn, counsel for Citizens Action Coalition. "These solar energy projects will reduce the monthly expenses of these non-profits, allowing them to provide even greater assistance to their communities and the populations they serve."

"These organizations and the people they serve will benefit from these projects," said Indiana Utility Consumer Counselor Bill Fine. "The settlement agreement benefits customers in a variety of ways, and we are pleased to see its provisions moving forward."

"Prosperity Indiana members create sustainable communities and economic opportunity for low-wealth Hoosiers," said Andy Fraizer, executive director of Prosperity Indiana.  "The Solar Uniting Neighbors program is a catalyst for economic freedom by converting the energy of the sun into household and organizational cost savings. It was gratifying for our team to partner with Duke Energy and consumer groups to make these grant investments and impact lives."

Projects receiving the grants include:

Area IV Agency on Aging and Community Action Program, low-income client home in Dayton, $15,809

Community Action Program, low-income client home in Franklin, $12,100

Community Action Program, low-income client home in Princeton, $12,000

Community Action Program of Evansville, three rental homes for low-income residents in Oakland City, $22,900

Community Action Program of Evansville, Head Start building and apartment complex in Owensville, $20,230

Community Action Program of Evansville, Head Start classroom and office building in Princeton, $41,393

Crawford County Family Health, Marengo, $38,050

Harrison County Community Services, Corydon, $50,000

LIFEDesigns, group home for residents with disabilities in Bloomington, $14,600

Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center, Columbus, $7,570

Pace Community Action Agency, Vincennes, $79,401

Pathfinder Services, group homes in Wabash, $32,538

Thrive Alliance's Armory, apartments for low-income elderly residents in Columbus, $53,406

All projects will be completed by the end of the year.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy Indiana's operations provide about 6,800 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 820,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it the state's largest electric supplier.

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Prosperity Indiana

Founded in 1986, Prosperity Indiana is a statewide membership organization that supports a network of organizations that builds vital communities and resilient families. We advocate for public policies and assist the network in developing comprehensive solutions that engage local leadership to generate private and public investment.

Contact: Angeline Protogere 
Office: 317.838.1338 | 24-Hour: 800.559.3853

SOURCE Duke Energy