Renewable Energy for Low Income Clients: Benefits Beyond the Money

The Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers Grants (SERC) became available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), in 2010. The objective of SERC was to expand weatherization to “materials, benefits, and renewable and domestic energy technologies” that were not currently covered. Cost-effectiveness was one of the stated priorities of SERC funding. Appropriate technology is an approach to technology implementation that is characterized by creative and sound engineering that recognizes the social, environmental, as well as, the economic components. Renewable energy may have additional quality of life benefits to offer families beyond the cost savings. In Michigan, there were two SERC grants awarded; one to the Muskegon and Oceana Community Action Partnership (MOCAP) in West Michigan and Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency (OLHSA) in Southeast Michigan. To be eligible, residents had to own their homes and meet income qualification levels. To determine the appropriateness of installing renewable energy technology on income qualified households, this paper will look at qualitative indicators to see if the clients perceived personal benefits beyond the monetary savings from the renewable energy systems installed on their homes and if those perceived benefits vary between the solar thermal and photovoltaic systems.