Solar Hot Water Benefits Homeless Shelter

To help reduce monthly expenses for Opportunity House, a multi-service organization improving the quality of life for children, families and adults who face various obstacles to independent living in the Reading area, MAREA has spearheaded a project to install a solar hot water system on their main building.

This is a link to the full solar opportunity subsite<a href=”https://www.themarea.org/solaropportunity”>READ MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT</a>

Check out the Progress: Reading Eagle 8-1-2014

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MAREA completes solar hot water project to help needy.
MAREA’s solar hot water installation at Reading’s Opportunity House is complete!

This large system is expected to cut fuel costs and emissions by 50% and provide 100% of summertime hot water needs. The nonprofit Opportunity House offers round-the-clock childcare to support the working poor and provides emergency housing, three meals per day, and laundry facilities on a daily basis for needy men, women and children. The solar hot water installation (and related plumbing upgrades) was given to the shelter in full, with no cost to the Opportunity House for materials, labor or permitting. MAREA board member Tom Green, a mechanical engineer who works as Kutztown University’s Director of Campus Energy Services, led the project, working closely with fellow board member Bill Hennessy to coordinate the efforts of many skilled volunteers and local companies who donated expertise, equipment and materials. More details to come on this special project and its many generous contributors!