Horizon Solar Power (Horizon), a marketer, seller, designer and installer of residential and commercial solar systems in California, announced today the completion of a solar energy system installation in support of a local Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) new home building project. Homes For Our Troops, a privately funded 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 veterans. The homes restore some of the freedom and independence our veterans sacrificed while defending our country, and enable them to focus on their family, recovery and rebuilding their lives. Homes For Our Troops will be formally presenting this Fallbrook, California home to Marine Private First Class Isaac Blunt on July 15 as part of a community Key Ceremony.

Blunt joined the Marines shortly after high school and started his first deployment to Afghanistan in March 2011. On June 13 of that year, PFC Blunt, a rifleman with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, was on foot patrol in Sangin, Afghanistan, when he stepped on a pressure plate improvised explosive device (IED). The blast resulted in the loss of both his legs, his left eye and several fingers on his left hand. Now medically retired, Isaac plays wheelchair basketball on Balboa Medical Center’s team, the Wolf Pack. He also trains to stay in shape for mountain climbing. In a mortgage-free home, Isaac will be able to focus on his future without having to worry about moving apartments frequently. With this stability, his daughter will have a place she can call “home.” The special adaptations Isaac is most looking forward to are the pull-down cabinets and lower countertops, making it easier for him to reach appliances while in his wheelchair. The installation of the solar energy system ensures PFC Blunt and his family will experience immediate and long-term savings on their electricity bills while increasing the value of their new home.

“It’s a tremendous honor for Horizon to work with Home For Our Troops. This project represents an incredible opportunity for our organization to support those brave individuals that have made tremendous sacrifices to protect our nation. On behalf of everyone at Horizon, we are very proud of this effort and grateful for the opportunity to support Homes For Our Troops,” said Frank Kneller, Horizon Solar Power CEO.

Ruben Ugarte, Horizon Solar Power’s director of business development added, “Being local is part of our appeal as the major regional installer. We live here, we work here and we play here. Helping PFC Blunt and his family is an extension on our ethos of giving back to the community, all the while helping homeowners lower their electric bill with clean renewable energy. Our hope is that this install leads to many more just like it, here and around our community.”

“HFOT is proud to deliver energy efficient homes to our veterans. Horizon Solar Power’s generous donation will greatly reduce the utility costs for PFC Blunt, and assist him with getting on with rebuilding his life. We thank them for providing this opportunity to Isaac and supporting the Homes For Our Troops’ mission,” stated Bill Ivey, executive director, Homes For Our Troops.