New England Clean Energy and Canadian Solar are collaborating with Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester to provide Maple Solar energy systems for Habitat’s Project Playhouse program.
Project Playhouse is a volunteer, fundraising program for groups and corporations wanting to make a difference in their communities. Volunteers build, design and decorate children’s playhouses, which are then donated to local veteran families with children. Habitat’s MetroWest/Greater Worcester chapter began offering the program in July 2014.
Completed playhouse with solar panel on the roof.
“The addition of a working solar panel to our playhouses is a great way to teach kids about renewable energy,” says Tim Firment, executive director of Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester. “We hope to mirror these mini-systems on the playhouses with full-scale systems on the homes we build and renovate.”
The first Maple solar energy systems were installed recently on playhouses constructed at Unum headquarters in Worcester, Mass., and at Hallmark Sotheby’s International Realty in Hopkinton, Mass. The playhouses were then presented to two local veterans and their families.
The solar companies have committed to a six-month collaboration with Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester, with the potential to continue longer term. Canadian Solar donated the systems and New England Clean Energy donated the installation and related equipment.
“We’re excited to be supporting Habitat for Humanity, which is making the world a better place by building homes and helping families,” says Mark Durrenberger, president of New England Clean Energy. “New England Clean Energy is helping families put solar on their homes to save money, and our organizations, along with Canadian Solar, are focused on contributing to our local communities. Partnering on Project Playhouse makes sense all around.”
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