The Problem: Energy Affordability and Its Impact on South Carolina Communities

Energy is essential for human development and quality of life. Many of us are fortunate enough to enjoy comfortable homes, paid bills, and food in the refrigerator. However, it’s important to recognize that many individuals and families face a very different reality—one of energy insecurity.

Energy affordability is not just about paying bills; it’s about breaking the cycle of poverty, improving economic stability, and enhancing public health. For low-income households, the high energy burden—the disproportionate amount of income spent on energy—can lead to serious health, safety, and financial issues. Families experiencing energy poverty are often forced to reduce their energy usage, leaving their homes insufficiently heated, cooled, or lit. This creates unsafe living conditions and has been linked to various health problems, including asthma, respiratory illness, heart disease, and stress-related disorders. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to these effects.

Energy costs are universal, but they place a far greater strain on low-income families. While the average household may spend about 3% of their income on energy, low-income households can spend more than 20%, making energy one of their largest financial burdens. This inequity is referred to as "energy poverty," and it can compound other challenges like inadequate housing, healthcare access, and financial instability.

Families living under high energy burdens experience chronic stress, often in fear of losing access to electricity or gas due to unpaid bills. This ongoing anxiety exacerbates health problems, further undermining their quality of life.

The SCCEC Solution: Energizing South Carolina Communities

At the South Carolina Clean Energy Community (SCCEC), we believe in creating a future where energy is affordable, reliable, sustainable, and accessible for all. Our SUNS.T.A.R.R. Project is designed to directly combat energy poverty by empowering local communities with clean, efficient, and cost-saving energy solutions. Our mission is simple: Power to All.

Energy poverty magnifies housing unaffordability. One effective way to alleviate this issue is by reducing some of the fastest-rising costs—energy and water—through efficiency upgrades and renewable energy adoption. This not only relieves the financial strain on low-income families but also delivers broader social benefits, such as:

• Economic development: Supporting local economies through reduced energy expenses and job creation in clean energy sectors.

• Employment opportunities: Generating jobs through renewable energy installations and community-led energy efficiency programs.

• Improved public health: Reducing health risks associated with poorly insulated or inefficiently heated and cooled homes.

• Educational benefits: Empowering residents with knowledge and resources to manage their energy consumption more effectively.

Community-led energy efficiency is a critical, yet underutilized, strategy for addressing energy poverty. Programs that reduce household energy burdens go beyond bill assistance—they create lasting impacts that foster self-sufficiency and resilience. By collaborating with local governments, utilities, and other partners, we aim to implement innovative energy efficiency and renewable energy programs specifically tailored to low-income communities.

Our Approach: Strategic Energy Solutions for Long-Term Affordability

SCCEC is focused on improving and expanding existing energy efficiency programs and developing new initiatives that provide sustainable solutions for households facing high energy burdens. Our strategies include:

• Expanding low-income energy efficiency programs: Tailoring solutions like weatherization, insulation, and HVAC upgrades to the unique needs of low-income households.

• Promoting renewable energy adoption: Encouraging the installation of solar panels and other clean energy technologies to reduce energy costs over the long term.

• Engaging local governments and utilities: Strengthening partnerships to ensure the most vulnerable communities have access to modern, sustainable energy solutions.

• Enhancing program design: Refining energy efficiency offerings to better address long-term affordability while delivering immediate relief through reduced energy bills.

Through our SUNS.T.A.R.R. Project and community-driven initiatives, SCCEC is committed to energizing South Carolina—ensuring that every household, regardless of income, has access to clean, affordable, and reliable energy.

Energy & Poverty: A Holistic Approach to Reducing Utility Costs

At the South Carolina Clean Energy Community (SCCEC), we believe that addressing high utility costs by reducing energy and water waste is crucial to solving the larger societal issue of energy poverty. Many low-income and economically challenged households face disproportionately high energy bills due to inefficient homes. SCCEC is committed to changing this by combining weatherization assistance with renewable energy solutions to create lasting, sustainable improvements.

Our SUNS.T.A.R.R. Project targets the root causes of energy poverty by providing energy retrofits that go beyond traditional weatherization. While programs that install insulation, air sealing, low-flow showerheads, LED lights, and other conservation measures are essential, they often fall short of delivering long-term relief. That’s why SCCEC integrates renewable energy deep retrofits—such as solar and wind energy installations with solar battery storage—into our approach.

A Systematic Solution for Long-Term Impact

Rather than relying on a piecemeal approach, SCCEC adopts a comprehensive energy retrofitting strategy that is more cost-effective for society and more dignified for the residents of low-income homes, apartments, and buildings. Our integrated solution ensures that economically challenged households can access not only energy efficiency improvements but also renewable energy systems that significantly reduce utility costs and provide protection against rising energy prices.

Wise-Power Energy Members: Powering a Brighter Future

As a Wise-Power Energy Member, you are not only helping to bring energy-saving solutions to your own home, but you are also supporting SCCEC's mission to provide clean energy to economically disadvantaged communities. Your involvement helps create unique, impactful experiences for children, families, and small businesses—experiences that broaden their horizons, reduce their energy burdens, and shield them from the effects of energy cost inflation.

Proceeds from the net revenue raised through SCCEC programs stay within local communities. SCCEC reinvests 100% of this revenue into community programs, either funding additional energy projects or donating to causes that further improve the well-being of local residents.

Empowering Low-Moderate Income Residents with Clean Energy

Our goal is to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all, especially for low- to moderate-income (LMI) residents and economically challenged homeowners or small businesses. By providing up to 6 kW solar installations as part of our deep retrofit programs, we aim to offer energy independence and reduce reliance on costly, inefficient energy systems.

However, universal energy access is just the beginning. To foster true economic and social development, energy must be available for productive uses, such as in agriculture and industry. Through the Wise-Power Forward Energy Member program, we are committed to creating energy solutions that not only address household energy needs but also contribute to broader economic growth and community prosperity.

At SCCEC, we are passionate about helping South Carolina communities thrive through innovative energy solutions. Together, we can make energy poverty a thing of the past and build a brighter, more sustainable future for all.