GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic has partnered with Habitat for Humanity Northern Virginia to provide the Tesfaye family in Alexandria, Va., with a home build and solar power installation.

According to the partners, the Tesfaye family worked more than 600 hours to build their new home alongside Habitat for Humanity staff and volunteers. Now, the project will culminate with no-cost solar installed by GRID Mid-Atlantic staff and volunteers from KPMG.

The 2.44 kW solar installation will provide the family of four a savings of about $10,000 over the lifetime of the system and will eliminate 64 tons of greenhouse-gas emissions — the equivalent of taking 12 cars off the road for a year.

GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic brings together community partners, volunteers and job trainees to implement solar power and energy efficiency for low-income families in Maryland, D.C., Virginia and Delaware. More on their work can be read here.