New nonprofit pitches removable "backyard" solar to Richmond; organizers seek 50 pilot households

A local startup nonprofit, presented by Cora and endorsed by a partner organization, described a pilot effort to bring removable backyard solar systems to Richmond residents who cannot access rooftop solar. The presenter, who said the nonprofit is just months old, described a subscription model with a monthly fee intended to match immediate household electricity savings; organizers said after six years the system would be owned outright by the household.

Cora described mounting options including backyard ground mounts, balcony mounts and deck mounts and said the organization recommends backyard installations as the simplest and most reliable option. She said there are no income restrictions, renters may participate if landlords approve access to an outdoor outlet, and the nonprofit handles delivery and installation. Participants must have an electricity account in their or a household member’s name.

Committee members asked about capacity and timelines. Cora said the organization has a limited initial donation of units and could scale production and installation to match demand if the community expressed interest. Jim Becker of Richmond Community Foundation, who met with the nonprofit off‑line, said his organization and others have vetted the concept and are exploring pilot collaborations. The committee suggested help with outreach, landlord engagement and coordination with city environmental staff to test the approach in Richmond.

The presenters asked interested residents to book a consultation via a QR code included in their materials; they said the pilot seeks roughly 50 households in the near term.