Mission/Vision

RREAL has the unique mission of making solar energy available to people of all income levels. Solar technologies present viable alternatives to fossil fuels that are both environmentally sound and socially empowering. In order for solar to be widely embraced, it must be available to people of all income levels. However, solar technology remains out of reach for many lower income households.

The cost of home heating is unpredictable, and has been rising every year for the last 30 years- much faster than people’s incomes. Since low income families devote a greater share of income to the necessity of heat, they are the most vulnerable to these increases and fluctuations in energy costs.

At RREAL, we seek to address these issues with solar energy. Our flagship program, Solar Assistance, installs solar heating systems in partnership with low-income families that qualify for public energy assistance. Solar Assistance fosters ecological health, social equity, and self-reliance. Solar heating technology is an environmentally and economically appropriate technology for helping meet the energy needs of people in poverty.

Government fuel assistance is without a doubt a necessary program. But, does it offer a lasting solution to fuel poverty? Is a family any better off at the beginning of a winter season for having had fuel assistance the year before?