TEPRI Partners with Foundation Communities to Provide Solar and Storage on Two of their North Texas Developments
DALLAS (January 27, 2025) — Today, Google announced a contribution of $1 million to support the Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute’s (TEPRI) effort to build energy resilience hubs in Texas.
The collaboration will focus on creating energy resilience hubs at two affordable multi-tenant facilities, operated by Foundation Communities, in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The energy resilience hubs will use on-site solar with battery storage to provide back-up power to the common areas during extreme weather events, ensuring over 500 residents continue to have a safe space to meet, learn, and stay warm in the winter and cool during summer – even when the grid is offline.
In addition, the energy resilience hubs will help reduce monthly operating electricity costs. The electric bill savings will be used to expand social services for residents, such as free after school and summer child care, nutrition programs and access to medical care.
“We’re proud to support TEPRI’s innovative approach to support energy affordability and resilience for families in Arlington,” said Caroline Golin, Google’s Global Head of Energy Market Development and Innovation. “The addition of on-site solar with battery storage will protect vulnerable communities during extreme weather, and prevent a disruption in critical social services.”
”I’m excited to see Google’s partnership with TEPRI come to fruition,” said Katelynn Essig, Director of Sustainability, Foundation Communities. “Innovative solutions like this will help power Texas’ economic growth into the future, while also addressing the energy needs of our communities,” said Katelynn.
“Effective collaborations will be the lynchpin to providing scalable solutions for reduced electricity costs, power outage support, and needed services to our neighbors,” said Margo Weisz, Executive Director, TEPRI. “Strengthening local infrastructure by bringing the newest energy technologies to high-need communities ushers in a more resilient, sustainable, and robust energy future for Texas.”
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Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute: TEPRI is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that advances equitable solutions for affordable, reliable, and clean energy for disadvantaged communities. They engage with communities and test solutions that can support an equitable energy transition as the country integrates more diverse sources into our energy composition. TEPRI’s work advances research on the energy needs of low-income households, develops solutions, and establishes a network of on the ground relationships to enable deployment.
Foundation Communities: is a local, homegrown nonprofit. They provide affordable, attractive homes and free on-site support services for thousands of families with kids, as well as veterans, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Foundation Communities offers an innovative, proven model that empowers residents and neighbors to achieve educational success, financial stability, and healthier lifestyles. They operate 31 apartment communities – 28 in Austin and three more in North Texas.
Google in Texas: Google has been committed to Texas since it first called the state home in 2007. In addition to its cloud region and Midlothian data center, Google has an office presence across the state in Austin, Dallas and Houston. In 2023 Google helped provide more than $47 billion of economic activity for tens of thousands of Texas businesses, publishers, nonprofits, creators and developers, creating economic opportunities across the state. Learn more about Google in Texas at: https://economicimpact.google/state/tx/.
