Transcript:

In Oakland, California, 15 properties on a single block have new rooftop solar panels, electric heat pumps, and insulation.

The homes were renovated together as part of a project called EcoBlock that’s exploring the potential of cutting carbon pollution a whole block at a time.

Peffer: “Looking at how do you engage a community to adopt solar, to adopt electrification, and how do you do this in a way that’s affordable for the community?”

Therese Peffer of the University of California, Berkeley, leads the project.

She says a grant funded the EcoBlock renovations. But this approach could help homeowners in other communities save money.

Peffer: “We did see some economies of scale. For example, for bulk purchases for solar, for the appliances.”

And it can be more cost-effective for contractors to do multiple projects in one neighborhood.

Pfeffer: “We had to replace about half the roofs. … And the roofer gave us a better price because he had eight roofs to do all on one block.”

But she says the benefits of teaming up with neighbors go beyond money alone.

Peffer: “This provided a lot of opportunities for people to get to know each other.”

So the approach has the potential to cut climate-warming pollution and build community.

Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy / ChavoBart Digital Media