SUNation Cares Gifts Free Solar Panel System to the Family of Bentley Kelley
Giving The Gift Of FREE Electricity to relieve financial burden due to rare bone cancer diagnosis!
SUNation Energy Rallies Local Elected Officials, Non-profit, and Local Businesses to Help Manorville Family in Need
MANORVILLE, NY. – JULY 2, 2024 – SUNation Energy, the New York-based subsidiary of Pineapple Energy, has partnered with elected officials from Suffolk County and the Town of Brookhaven, as well as the Marty Lyons Foundation, to gift a donated rooftop photovoltaic solar system for a local Manorville family in need.
The 53-panel system was gifted to the family of Bentley Kelley, a 12-year-old boy who has been battling a rare bone cancer that has spread to his lungs.
The donation highlights how local governments, the non-profit, and private sectors came together to help ease the burden of their high energy costs as they’ve focused on Bentley’s treatment and care. Given the family’s energy needs, their monthly electric bills were quickly becoming a financial burden on their household.
SUNation rallied the group to support the Kelley family, and worked with their vendor suppliers S-Energy, who provided the solar panels, US Renewable Solutions, who sourced the system’s microinverters, and Cooper Electric, who helped with the system’s racking.
As part of the effort, the Town of Brookhaven worked diligently to expedite permit review and the necessary approvals of the donated system, allowing SUNation to quickly complete the installation before peak energy usage season.
All the while, the Marty Lyons Foundation worked with the Kelley Family throughout Bentley’s hardships, and ensured their needs were continually met throughout the entire installation process.
In addition, locals rallied to help the family with their yardwork this season. Waterdrinker Farms in Manorville provided seasonal plantings, CI Fine Landscapes and Lawn Barber offered landscape services, and Suffolk House Washing in Manorville power washed the property.
The solar installation is a cornerstone project of Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine’s Solar-Up Suffolk program, which spreads awareness of the benefits of, and encourages solar adoption County-wide.
Quote from Suffolk County Ed Romaine –
“The Kelley Family has faced difficult times, and we’re proud that the Town of Brookhaven, SUNation, and the Marty Lyons Foundation worked together to help them go solar, giving them one less thing to worry about so they can focus on Bentley’s well-being. The role of government is to help the people it serves, and we came together with our friends in the business community to do just that.”
Quote from Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico
“We’re proud to see the Kelley family supported with this solar energy system, easing their utility costs during a very difficult time. This type of kindness and generosity is what is needed more in this world of ours. It’s heartwarming to see everyone unite for Bentley.”
Quote from Brookhaven Deputy Town Supervisor Neil Foley
“The Town of Brookhaven was happy to do its part to ensure that the Kelley Family quickly received the generous support being offered by these organizations and businesses. Now, they can rest assured that their utility bills are less and focus on what matters.”
Quote from Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Dunne-Kesnig
“I’m so heartened to see our Manorville community rally around the Kelley family. The coalition of government, non-profits and businesses that stepped-up really highlights how those in our community care for their neighbors.”
Quote from Scott Maskin, Interim CEO, Pineapple Energy/Founder of SUNation
“The moment we heard about what Bentley and his family were going through, we knew that SUNation had to help in some way. This donated system represents everything that we stand for as a company, and I couldn’t be any prouder of my team and partners who made all of this happen for the Kelley Family.”
Quote from Marty Lyons, Marty Lyons Foundation
“All of us at the Marty Lyons Foundation have had the privilege of getting to know the Kelley Family this past year, and they couldn’t be more deserving of this effort. Bentley’s strength is inspiring, and we hope that this system and how everyone has rallied around him, highlights just how strong he’s been.”
