Sharp solar powering Habitat for Humanity homes

Leading solar cell maker Sharp is supplying complete systems for up to ten Habitat for Humanity homes in Suffolk County, Long Island, New York.

The systems were sold, not donated, a spokesperson confirmed.

Each house will receive 3 to 4 kilowatts (kW), enough to provide most of the electricity used by each household. This should mean a nearly zero electricity bill for homeowners. Typically, the monthly electricity bill would be about $130.

All systems will be based on Sharp’s new Solar Racking System (SRS). Each will include 187-watt ND-187U1 solar modules, mounting structures and a Sharp Sunvista inverter, designed for streamlined installation and improved aesthetics.

Designed for residential or light commercial installations, the SRS sits lower on the roof than other racking systems. The system is designed to save costs by cutting down on installation time and reducing the amount of materials used.

Five Habitat for Humanity homes in the Brookhaven, LI area have been outfitted with similar Sharp systems.

Habitat for Humanity homes are provided for low-income, first-time homebuyers who are required to provide “sweat-equity” by helping to build the houses that they will buy and occupy.

In addition to the home installations, Habitat for Humanity will have Sharp modules installed on its own corporate offices in Suffolk County. A 4-kW system will be installed on one of its two buildings, followed by a 6-kW system on the larger, second building.

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