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Electricity Doesn't Grow on Trees - It Falls from the Sky
by Sandi AbadinskyEnterprise Quarterly, Fall 2003'Solar energy holds enormous potential for society.' - Edward NortonThe Enterprise Foundation and BP Solar have created a unique partnership to give low-income homeowners in South Central Los Angeles the opportunity to enjoy the cost-savings that come with solar energy. Called the BP Solar Neighbors program, the partnership is the brainchild of Edward Norton, actor, director, producer and Enterprise Foundation trustee. Norton, who purchased his own solar system earlier this year, wanted to merge his passions for alternative-energy technology and helping working families. "We need to expand public awareness of the enormous potential that solar energy holds for American society," said Norton. "Not only are most people unaware of how effective and affordable the technology has become, but they don't realize that it has impact beyond being good for the environment." Called BP Solar Home Solutions, the solar systems use deep-blue, dark-framed modules that are installed on the roof. In sunny Southern California, a family living in a modest-sized home - and typically spending $1,000 or more a year on electricity - could see their electric bills practically disappear. "Electricity production is a leading cause of air pollution, contributing to smog, acid rain and respiratory problems," said Cara Eisenberg of BP Solar. Every time an invited celebrity purchases a BP Solar Home Solution, the company will install a system on one of Enterprise's affordable homes in South Central Los Angeles. Actors Pierce Brosnan and Daryl Hannah have already signed up, and Enterprise and BP hope to provide solar systems to 25 families in the program's first year. In addition, anytime someone signs up for the BP Solar Home Solution through the call center (1-866-bp-solar) and then purchases a system, the company will donate $100 to the BP Solar Neighbors Program. The Andrews family will be the first to receive a donated solar system. Yvette Andrews, who works as a clerk at Jefferson High School, is a single mom with four kids ranging in ag from 11 to 18. Andrews was able to afford her home through a program run by The Enterprise Foundation. Andrews is now the proud owner of a newly renovated, energy-efficient three bedroom, two-bath home. "I already love my house - the solar system will just make me love it even more," Andrews said. Enterprise is investing more than $100 million in struggling Los Angeles neighborhoods, while building a stable base of more than 1,500 homeowners living in fully renovated, energy-efficient homes. Enterprise purchases properties in bulk from HUD at a discount of the appraised value. Working with local developers, Enterprise oversees a substantial rehabilitation of the homes to reduce expensive repairs for the new homeowners. Affordable loans are available for very low-income families and all homebuyers must complete homebuyer-education courses. "When we show people that solar has the potential to play a real role in taking some of the long-term financial burden off low-income families then they'll start to look at it as not just an energy solution but an instrument of profound social progress," said Norton. "The more I study it, the more amazed and excited I am by it. I'd
love to see solar panels on every Enterprise home or building," he said.
Sandi Abadinsky is the director of PR and Marketing for The Enterprise Foundation. Enterprise FoundationArticlesMain Page || Biography || News || Films || Articles || Photo Gallery || Multimedia || Site Map || Website UpdatesIf you have new information on Edward Norton (and you can provide a verifiable and reputable source), please email me- Susan Note: Articles and images have been posted without permission for noncommercial and nonprofit use
with no intention of copyright infringement. The purpose of this reprinting is to disseminate correct information about the
actors, films, and studios. I have included author names and links to sources whenever possible.
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