Muskegon-Oceana Community Action Partnership (MOCAP) hosted a press event on Monday, November 28, to show the progress of four solar energy installation projects that will benefit several area human services agencies with lower energy costs for decades to come.

MOCAP’s solar energy projects were funded by a grant by the US Department of Energy (DOE). The agency applied for and received $3.2 million Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers (SERC) for its ambitious plans to install solar energy technology at facilities that provide shelter and other assistance to homeless men and women, victims of domestic abuse, and people with drug and alcohol addictions. MOCAP was one of two Community Action Agencies in Michigan to receive funding to support alternative energy projects; Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency was the other.

The grant requires recipients to use the money for renewable energy and energy efficient technologies at sites that serve moderate to low income residents. MOCAP selected area nonprofits including Every Woman’s Place, the Muskegon Rescue Mission’s men’s and women’s shelters, and West Michigan Therapy Transitional Living Center. In addition, MOCAP will use a portion of the SERC grant to install solar energy systems in the homes of low income clients to augment household electricity and hot water needs.

Like many Community Action programs in Michigan, MOCAP’s SERC projects have a widespread community benefit. The agencies that are receiving the renewable energy systems will be able to use the money they save in utility bills to provide services to more clients instead. Kevin Newton of Muskegon Rescue Mission called the project “an energy endowment,” for his agency, citing the ongoing benefit the installation will provide. Numerous local engineering firms and contractors, including nationally known designers Cascade Engineering and Newkirk Electric, both located in Western Michigan, participated in the projects, supporting hundreds of local jobs.

The November 28 press event was held at the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center in Muskegon, a LEED certified facility run by Grand Valley State University. Approximately 70 media members and representatives of the involved organizations took part. The Muskegon Chronicle featured an extensive article about the grant and related projects in its November 28 edition.