$500K Google Grant Boosts Energy Efficiency for SC Co-op Members

A $500,000 grant from Google will help Berkeley Electric Cooperative in South Carolina fund energy upgrades for low- to moderate-income households. The co-op's members, like Russell and Deborah Johnson, have benefited from ductless mini splits and heat pumps installed at no cost to them.

The new grant brings Google's total contribution to the co-op to $750,000, following last year's $250,000 award. About 100 additional households will qualify for energy improvements, which include compact heating and cooling systems that control temperature in specific rooms without using traditional air ducts.

Volunteers from Google, Berkeley Electric Cooperative, and Hope Repair have been working together to install the upgrades, with each unit costing around $9,000 normally but only about $5,000 thanks to the grant. The co-op's director of marketing and communications, Libby Roerig, said that Google recognized their expertise and partnerships in the community.

According to Eddie Plowden, Berkeley Electric Director of Energy Services, the ductless models not only improve energy efficiency but also air quality. Russell Johnson noted that his new cooling system has made a big difference in their manufactured home, where he requires supplemental oxygen.