With $400,000 in funding from Duke Energy, Indiana’s key consumer groups are awarding 16 not-for-profit organizations grants to help finance the installation of solar power systems to reduce the energy bills at facilities serving low-income Hoosiers.

The funding comes from a Duke Energy settlement agreement with the Citizens Action Coalition, the Duke Energy Industrial Group, the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, Nucor Steel, Save the Valley, Sierra Club and Valley Watch.

“From a Head Start classroom in Princeton to a 1925 armory converted to affordable apartments for seniors in Columbus, there is a diversity of projects in these grants,” said Duke Energy Indiana president Melody Birmingham-Byrd. “These are organizations with environmental goals as well as community-oriented missions.”

Titled “Solar Uniting Neighbors,” or “SUN,” the program provides access to solar energy technology in Indiana. Prosperity Indiana, a community economic development organization, is the program’s administrator.

“We are so pleased to be able to support these worthy organizations and their missions of serving vulnerable Hoosiers,” said Jennifer Washburn, counsel for Citizens Action Coalition. “These solar energy projects will reduce the monthly expenses of these non-profits, allowing them to provide even greater assistance to their communities and the populations they serve.”

“These organizations and the people they serve will benefit from these projects,” said Indiana utility consumer counselor Bill Fine. “The settlement agreement benefits customers in a variety of ways, and we are pleased to see its provisions moving forward.”

“Prosperity Indiana members create sustainable communities and economic opportunity for low-wealth Hoosiers,” said Andy Fraizer, executive director of Prosperity Indiana. “The Solar Uniting Neighbors program is a catalyst for economic freedom by converting the energy of the sun into household and organizational cost savings. It was gratifying for our team to partner with Duke Energy and consumer groups to make these grant investments and impact lives.”

Projects receiving the grants include:

• Area IV Agency on Aging and Community Action Program, low-income client home in Dayton, $15,809
• Community Action Program, low-income client home in Franklin, $12,100
• Community Action Program, low-income client home in Princeton, $12,000
• Community Action Program of Evansville, three rental homes for low-income residents in Oakland City, $22,900
• Community Action Program of Evansville, Head Start building and apartment complex in Owensville, $20,230
• Community Action Program of Evansville, Head Start classroom and office building in Princeton, $41,393
• Crawford County Family Health, Marengo, $38,050
• Harrison County Community Services, Corydon, $50,000
• LIFEDesigns, group home for residents with disabilities in Bloomington, $14,600
• Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center, Columbus, $7,570
• Pace Community Action Agency, Vincennes, $79,401
• Pathfinder Services, group homes in Wabash, $32,538
• Thrive Alliance’s Armory, apartments for low-income elderly residents in Columbus, $53,406

All projects will be completed by the end of the year.