Impacts of Rooftop Solar on Energy Affordability

In 2021, Habitat for Humanity of Wisconsin and its partners launched the Grow Solar for Humanity initiative, which installed rooftop solar arrays on newly constructed affordable homes across Wisconsin. Habitat for Humanity of Wisconsin partnered with EAP students Xiyuan Hu, Vincent Idoko, Yoonjin Im, and Michael O’Donnell to evaluate the financial and social outcomes of the program’s first few years.

Utilizing a mixed-methods design, the EAP students integrated qualitative survey and interview insights from Habitat chapter leaders and homeowners with quantitative solar production and utility data. The findings indicate that rooftop solar substantially reduces energy burdens, with estimated monthly production of about 600 kWh and monthly bill savings of about $100 on average. Qualitative feedback indicates high satisfaction, revealing that the mitigation of high utility costs significantly improves financial stability, household comfort, and overall well-being for low-income families. To scale the program’s benefits, the report recommends securing layered external funding to maintain zero-upfront costs, enhancing seasonal maintenance support for homeowners, and integrating utility data-sharing waivers into the home closing process for robust future evaluations.