North Carolina-based MANNA FoodBank recently completed a 514-kW rooftop solar system at its office and warehouse facility in Mills River. The system, installed by Pisgah Energy and featuring SEG panels and SolarEdge inverters, is expected to produce more than 643,000 kWh of energy annually.
“It was an honor to install these systems for MANNA,” said Evan Becka, President of Pisgah Energy. “Using solar energy to help power operations is just one more way this incredible organization is supporting the health and well-being of Western North Carolina families.”
For MANNA, the project is also an investment in the long-term sustainability of its operations. Reducing ongoing energy costs allows the organization to use its resources more efficiently and helps protect more funding for the core work of sourcing, storing, and distributing food throughout Western North Carolina and the Qualla Boundary.
That stewardship is increasingly important as families across the region continue to face significant economic pressure. Today, MANNA and its network of more than 300 community partners serve an average of approximately 220,000 visits each month across 16 counties and the Qualla Boundary. Rising costs for housing, food, utilities, transportation and other basic necessities continue to strain household budgets, making sustainable approaches to MANNA’s own operations an important part of ensuring the food bank can meet both today’s needs and those of the future.
“Every dollar we can use more efficiently is a dollar that can go further in serving our communities,” said Claire Neal, CEO of MANNA FoodBank. “At a time when neighbors across Western North Carolina are turning to MANNA and our partner network at historic rates for food support, we have a responsibility to think about the long-term sustainability of our work. Investments like this help us reduce ongoing costs while building a stronger, more resilient food bank that can continue meeting the needs of our region for years to come.”
Pisgah Energy was able to bring partnerships to the project, including support from the Footprint Project, a $55,000 solar panel racking donation from Enstall, and a $200,000 BuildUS grant supporting greater energy resiliency in rural Western North Carolina. Coupled with the nonprofit direct pay incentive, this crucial funding is expected to help MANNA reach an estimated 4.5-year investment payback, freeing up critical dollars for food purchases and distribution.
News item from Pisgah
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