Located in Portland, Oregon, Dignity Village is a self-governed and self-funded community offering transitional housing for people moving from houselessness to stability. Established more than twenty years ago, it is the oldest sanctioned tiny home community of its kind in the United States, built on the principles of collaboration, independence, and dignity.
Over four days, 80 volunteers and 20 Dignity Village residents contributed more than 800 hours of labor to bring the project to life. A total of 200 solar modules were installed across 31 rooftops, delivering solar power to 43 tiny homes and the Commons Building.
Each home was wired for lighting, heating, cooling, and charging, and equipped with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, replacing propane lights and heaters with safer and more sustainable electric systems.
For Rolls Battery, contributing to this project reflects a continued commitment to supporting renewable energy access and community resilience. The donated Rolls battery bank provides the essential energy storage backbone for the solar installation — ensuring stability, reliability, and long-term performance.
By helping power Dignity Village, Rolls played a crucial role in reducing dependence on fossil fuels, enhancing safety, and enabling residents to manage their energy needs with autonomy and confidence.
The project delivers meaningful, measurable benefits for Dignity Village and its 60 residents:
- Reliable access to clean electricity for every household
- Improved safety through the removal of propane-based systems
- Reduced utility costs, saving approximately $3,000 annually
- Energy independence, empowering residents to manage their own sustainable community
Dignity Village, Portland
Community Homes
Despite their determination and self-sufficiency, residents faced ongoing challenges with access to affordable, reliable energy. Many relied on propane for lighting and heating — a costly and potentially unsafe necessity. Rising communal utility costs only added to the financial strain.
To address these challenges, Twende Solar, in partnership with K2 Systems, Sol-Ark, and Rolls Battery, worked with Dignity Village residents to design and install a 60 kW solar PV system that now powers the entire community with clean, renewable energy.
The Dignity Village solar initiative was led by Twende Solar, with system design, project coordination, and volunteer management spanning more than two years from planning to completion.
Sol-Ark provided inverter technology to ensure efficient energy conversion and performance reliability, while K2 Systems supplied donated racking hardware to accommodate the diverse mix of rooftops. Funding support came from the Portland Clean Energy Fund, in collaboration with Verde Builds.
Together, these organizations — working alongside the residents of Dignity Village — have created a powerful example of what’s possible through partnership and shared purpose.
For Rolls Battery, contributing to this initiative underscores our ongoing commitment to expanding renewable energy access and strengthening community resilience. The donated Rolls battery bank forms the energy storage backbone of the solar installation, ensuring long-term stability, safety, and reliable performance for Dignity Village residents.
