Naomi Ryan’s husband depends on life-saving medical equipment at home. When their electricity bills skyrocketed beyond what they could afford, losing power wasn’t just an inconvenience—it was life-threatening.
Ryan’s family worked hard and did their best to help friends and relatives. But when Ryan’s husband was diagnosed with cancer, the combination of medical bills and high energy bills—exacerbated by the energy used by lifesaving medical devices—threw their family into a vicious cycle of bills higher than their now fixed income could cover.
“My husband and I looked at each other like how do we pay this?” Ryan said. “He’s on medical equipment, so we can’t lose electricity.”
Ryan's family is not alone. Across the Mid-Atlantic, rising electricity bills have significantly affected households on fixed incomes, with many families spending more than 11% of their income on energy costs. This leaves too little for essentials like food and medication.
As bills spiraled higher, Ryan sought guidance from a friend, Beverly, who introduced her to Groundswell’s community solar program. Thanks to Groundswell’s no-cost subscription, Ryan’s family quickly experienced a remarkable change. Ryan noted an immediate and substantial reduction in their electricity expenses, providing much-needed relief and peace of mind as they navigated their challenging situation.
Groundswell’s community solar program not only serves Ryan’s family but also supports more than 7,000 households, primarily in Maryland and the District of Columbia. The program generates clean energy credits—approximately $500 annually per household—that directly reduce utility bills. With plans to expand into Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, Groundswell is poised to make a significant impact, aiming to deliver $29 million in savings to 36,000 families by 2030.
In Maryland, no-cost community solar subscriptions are possible thanks to support from other local households who agree to leverage their solar subscriptions to improve local access to clean energy and local energy affordability. In many communities, grant investments play a crucial role, enabling families like Ryan’s to benefit from lower electricity bills and the transformative power of renewable energy.
“Thank God for Groundswell and for Beverly telling me about the program because I was at my wits’ end. I did not know what to do,” Ryan said, highlighting the lifesaving role of community support and solar energy.
To learn more about how community solar can transform lives, visit SharePower.Groundswell.org.