Nevada Clean Energy Fund Commits Nearly $1 Million to The Empowerment Center’s New Sober Living Facility in Reno Under Solar for All Program
Reno, NV— Women in recovery at a new affordable housing facility in Reno, The Empowerment Center 2, will soon benefit from lower energy bills and a more affordable path to healing, thanks to a $962,200 solar investment from the Nevada Clean Energy Fund (NCEF). The Empowerment Center (TEC) is building The Empowerment Center 2 TEC with the goal of powering nearly all of the building’s electricity needs with solar energy—a major milestone and precedent for affordable housing in Nevada. The solar project marks one of the first projects in the U.S. funded under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Solar for All Program. The investment will support residents of the newly constructed affordable housing property owned by The Empowerment Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that specializes in provides recovery-based transitional housing for women.
“The Empowerment Center is doing life changing work, and we are proud to support their commitment to both wellness and energy sustainability,” said Kirsten Stasio, CEO at NCEF. “This first-of-its-kind project demonstrates how clean energy can help uplift people working hard to restore their lives.”
TEC offers a trauma-informed, 5-month residential recovery program for women experiencing substance use disorder. The organization currently operates 36 beds at its original Virginia Street location and made history in 2022 by opening Marvel Way, Nevada’s first permanent sober living apartment complex. Across the street, The Empowerment Center 2 will expand TEC’s treatment capacity and introduce new spaces for high-level mental health services. The solar installation funded by NCEF will reduce utility costs, freeing up funds for addiction treatment, case management, and support staff.
“This investment from the Nevada Clean Energy Fund is transformational for our organization and the women we serve,” said Roxanne DeCarlo, Executive Director of The Empowerment Center. “Lower energy costs mean we can focus more resources on what matters most, helping women rebuild their lives in a safe, stable environment. It’s also a powerful statement that clean energy belongs in every community, including those on the path to recovery.”
Sol-Up, a leading Nevada-based solar installer and long-time member of NCEF’s vetted energy contractor network, is installing the new solar system.
“We’re honored to be part of a project that combines renewable energy with social impact,” said Steve Hamile, CEO at Sol-Up. “Clean power shouldn’t be a luxury, it should be something that supports every Nevadan, especially those working to rebuild their lives.”
The TEC 2 solar project is funded under NCEF’s Nevada Solar for All initiative. Nevada Solar for All—funded by a $156 million federal grant—offers financial and technical assistance to households, multifamily affordable housing properties, Tribal and rural communities, and other commercial property owners to install solar projects.
About the Nevada Clean Energy Fund
The Nevada Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) is a nonprofit organization that supports a thriving, affordable, and accessible clean energy economy by providing financial and technical resources to Nevadans. NCEF was established by Nevada legislation in 2017 as the state’s green bank. NCEF implements programs for diverse Nevada stakeholders, including affordable housing, Tribes, nonprofits, schools, local governments, and rural communities. Clean energy measures include building electrification and efficiency, renewable energy, clean vehicles, and others.