At the Emma Community Center near Asheville, North Carolina, the ongoing transformation extends far beyond hard lines and wires. While the transition to renewable energy is often seen as a luxury, the collaboration among Sugar Hollow Solar, PODER Emma, and the Footprint Project is delivering clean energy for innovative community resilience and displacement prevention.

These three organizations have recently completed a series of solar energy installations, marking a significant step in integrating affordable housing preservation with environmental justice.

PODER Emma, a mobile home community, has long provided resources to locals, protecting families from eviction through cooperative ownership. By collectively acquiring land, they ensured the original residents of the PODER Emma community could remain there. Partnerships with Sugar Hollow Solar and Footprint Project introduced an additional layer of security: energy independence. By generating their own power, these communities are no longer constrained by rising utility rates, allowing financial resources to stay within the community.

"We are delighted to take this step toward clean energy," said Alan Ramirez, a board member and secretary of La Esperanza, a housing cooperative for PODER Emma. "During hurricanes, La Esperanza has been the center of our resources and resilience. With solar power, we are conserving resources, generating electricity, and feeling stronger than ever.". ”

Fifteen solar panels were installed on a custom-designed terrace roof structure for mobile homes, along with a 46-kilowatt system on the roof of the PODER community center. These projects were made possible through sub-grants from the Repower WNC fund for equipment and labor supporting the Sugar Hollow Solar initiative of the Amicus Solar Cooperative, as well as donations of solar panels from the Footprint project, contributions from IronRidge, and grants from Invest Appalachia.

As Asheville moves toward a more sustainable future, the collaboration among Sugar Hollow Solar, PODER Emma, and the Footprint Project serves as a blueprint for equitable energy. Communities often disproportionately affected by development are typically excluded from the process. These initiatives help demonstrate what can be achieved when a community is empowered with the necessary information and tools. By addressing the disproportionate percentage of utility expenditures in low-income neighborhoods, PODER Emma ensures that the Emma community can thrive in a place that supports their prosperity.