Solar Referrals that Protect Mountains, Rivers & Communities

At Sugar Hollow Solar, our work isn’t just about panels, batteries, and kilowatts. It’s about community. It’s about place. It’s about ensuring the Southern Appalachian mountains—the rivers, forests, and trails that shape our lives—stay vibrant for generations to come.

That’s why we’re thrilled to welcome Conserving Carolina as our nonprofit partner for 2026.

We’ve always believed that every solar referral should do more than bring energy savings—it should bring positive change. That’s why, for every friend or neighbor you refer to go solar, Sugar Hollow Solar donates $50+ to a nonprofit making a difference. Last year, that was the Earthshine Nature Community Assistance Program (ENCAP), helping bring renewable energy access to communities in need. This year, it’s Conserving Carolina, a group whose mission perfectly mirrors ours: protecting the natural places we love while building stronger communities in Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina.

Why Conserving Carolina
We could have chosen any number of worthy causes—but Conserving Carolina stood out. Founded in 1990, Conserving Carolina is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and caring for the lands, waters, and communities of the Southern Appalachians. They preserve forests, rivers, wetlands, and wildlife habitats while creating trails, greenways, and outdoor spaces that connect people with nature.

Their mission goes beyond land protection—they aim to foster community, education, and resilience. Through programs for schools, guided hikes, volunteer days, and outdoor education campuses, they help people of all ages experience the wonder of nature, build lasting connections, and develop a sense of stewardship for the places they love.

2025 was a tough year for the environment here. Flooding, landslides, wildfires, and hurricane damage reminded us all how fragile our mountains and rivers can be. And yet, through it all, Conserving Carolina pressed forward, protecting over 50,000 acres of forests, mountains, and rivers, opening trails that connect towns and communities, and restoring natural areas that act as vital buffers against future storms.

They aren’t just protecting land—they’re creating spaces for people to thrive, for kids to learn outdoors, for neighbors to gather, and for volunteers to feel the joy of giving back. Whether it’s reopening trails after Hurricane Helene, expanding Buffalo Creek Park near Lake Lure, or turning the Saluda Grade rail corridor into a trail that will stretch across 31 miles of mountains and small towns, they are making conservation tangible, local, and deeply personal.

2025 Highlights from Conserving Carolina

Even in a challenging year, Conserving Carolina accomplished remarkable things in 2025:

Protecting 50,000 Acres Across the Southern Appalachians – From DuPont State Recreational Forest to Bearwallow Mountain, these protected lands ensure forests, rivers, and wildlife habitats remain vibrant and resilient for generations.
Opening the First Section of the Ecusta Trail – Six miles from Hendersonville to Horse Shoe now give people of all ages a safe, scenic way to walk, bike, and connect with their community, while also supporting local businesses along the route.

These are just two of the stories that show how your support—through volunteering, donations, or even solar referrals—directly impacts our mountains, rivers, and trails.

For a full look at their 2025 milestones, check out Conserving Carolina’s full “10 Reasons for Joy” blog.

How You Can Help
When you refer a friend or business to go solar with Sugar Hollow Solar, it’s more than a $250 or $500 reward—it’s a chance to double your impact:

Your referral helps a home or business save money and embrace clean energy.
It also helps Conserving Carolina continue to protect forests, rivers, trails, and wildlife habitat across the Southern Appalachians.

That’s why partnerships like this matter to us. Because energy, community, and conservation aren’t separate—they’re deeply connected. When we help homes go solar, we’re also helping the communities we love and the mountains we call home.

We’re proud of our past partnerships and excited for what’s ahead with Conserving Carolina. Here’s to another year of protecting the places we love, inspiring the next generation, and giving back in every way we can.