Google Grants Berkeley Electric Cooperative $500K for Low-Income Home Improvements

Berkeley Electric Cooperative in South Carolina has received a $500,000 grant from Google to partner with local nonprofit Hope Repair. The goal is to provide energy improvements and home repairs for low- to moderate-income households in the Lowcountry area.

The grant will support three-part partnership between Google, Hope Repair, and Berkeley Electric Cooperative. Certified energy technicians from the cooperative assess homes to determine what improvements are needed, with residents typically only paying for the units themselves.

This approach can save community members up to $5,300 per house in labor costs. Officials say that by partnering together, they can help more people have access to safe, affordable, and reliable power.

The cooperative was also awarded a similar grant from Google last year, where they were able to install 44 efficient HVAC units in homes. This year, their goal is to help 100 homes with the new grant funding.