photo by: contributed photo

An aerial photo shows a solar energy system that was installed by local solar energy company Good Energy Solutions this year on the roof of the local food pantry, Just Food, 2920 Haskell Ave. An anonymous donor paid for the system after being inspired by the company's solar giveaway.

A holiday gift that isn’t coal is always welcome, and for the Good family, giving one that replaces coal is even better.

Local solar energy company Good Energy Solutions, 641 E. 22nd St., plans to again give a local nonprofit organization a free solar energy system during the holiday season. Shana Good, who runs the company with her husband, Kevin, said the giveaway is their way to make a difference, especially during what has been such a hard year for many nonprofit organizations.

“We have this knowledge and we have these resources, and we really want to make a difference for those who are making a difference in our community,” Good said.

This is the third time that Good Energy Solutions has done the giveaway in recent years. In 2017, the company gave a solar energy system to Van Go Inc., an arts-based social service and job-training agency for 14- to 24-year-olds. Earlier this year, a solar system was given to the Sunrise Project, which provides community and youth gardening and cooking programs.

The recent gift to the Sunrise Project also inspired another community member. Good said that after an article about that giveaway ran in the newspaper, someone called Good Energy Solutions and arranged to anonymously to have a solar energy system installed for the local food pantry, Just Food, 2920 Haskell Ave. Good said that act gave her family even more motivation to continue the solar giveaway program for the upcoming year.

“I think we were even more inspired after this member of our community approached us and wanted to do the same,” Good said. “That really was positive reinforcement to keep doing it, because it does make a difference.”

The idea of the program is to provide nonprofits with clean solar energy and also help them cut down on their electric bills, freeing up funds to spend on whatever the nonprofit does. Good said the solar energy system and labor for installation have a value of several thousand dollars, with the cost depending on several factors, such as how many solar panels are needed, the space available and structure of the roof where the panels are installed.

Good Energy Solutions is currently accepting applications from nonprofit organizations in Douglas County who are interested in the offer. Organizations that have applied for previous giveaways can apply again. Applications are due by Dec. 31 and can be submitted on the company’s website, goodenergysolutions.com. The recipient will be announced in January and the system will be installed sometime in 2021, according to an announcement on the website.