What is “Christopher’s Burden”?
What’s in a name?
At first glance, “Christopher’s Burden” might sound personal, maybe even self-centered. But the truth is, it was never meant to be outward facing. It was intended to be a quiet reminder to myself, a name I carried more than one I shared.
The “burden” isn’t about weight, it’s about responsibility. A constant, internal call to do something meaningful. To recognize that there are people who, for reasons beyond their control, don’t have the ability to access the help they need, and to step in where I can.
This name was never about ownership. It was about obligation. A commitment to not look away, to not stay idle, and to use whatever resources or opportunities I have to support those who can’t always support themselves.
If anything, it’s a reminder that purpose isn’t always comfortable, but it’s always worth carrying. And I’ll be the first to admit, I can’t do it alone, so please- any help is greatly appreciated.
Our Story
Christopher Horihan brings more than 40 years of professional experience in finance and construction in conjunction with the residential and commercial solar energy industry to this endeavor. Throughout his career, he’s played a direct role in helping thousands of homeowners transition to solar power, enabling them to reduce or eliminate their dependence on traditional utility providers while lowering long-term energy costs.
A few years ago, during the height of the residential solar market, Christopher identified a growing as well as alarming disparity in consumer access to solar solutions. While residential solar adoption expanded rapidly, the primary pathways to participation, either through outright system purchases or third-party financing/leasing programs, remained largely inaccessible to many homeowners with limited financial resources or less-than-perfect credit. This imbalance became increasingly concerning as electricity prices continued to rise dramatically, placing an additional financial burden on households already struggling to make ends meet.
Christopher recognized that homeowners most impacted by rising utility costs, often those with fixed or limited incomes, were the least able to access the benefits of solar energy. Motivated by a desire to address this gap, he began exploring ways to provide meaningful assistance, determined to make renewable energy solutions more accessible to underserved communities.
In 2024, he formally established a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission of delivering solar energy systems to underprivileged homeowners who would be unable to afford or otherwise qualify for them. Initially envisioned as a modest, personally funded initiative, the organization was designed to quietly create a tangible impact, even if only available to a limited number of participants on a small community level.
Before these efforts could fully materialize however, the residential solar industry experienced a rapid and significant downturn. Driven largely by rising inflation and rapidly increasing interest rates, the solar sector faced widespread disruption. Major bankruptcies affected manufacturers, suppliers, financiers, and installation companies alike, creating challenges across the entire solar ecosystem. Further compounded by overall economic as well as political uncertainty, the marketplace encountered a substantial contraction, resulting not only in a large-scale slowdown to the entire industry, but also impacting the newly founded organization’s anticipated startup efforts.
The industry’s setbacks, while close to catastrophic, over time only emphasized an even greater need for the organization’s purpose. As energy costs continue to climb and economic pressures intensify on homeowners, more and more families find themselves struggling to manage household expenses and maintain financial stability. Rather than becoming discouraged and abandoning the mission, these realities only serve to reinforce its importance, energizing our commitment, and encouraging us to reenvision the scope and effort of what’s needed.
Today, our organization remains committed to expanding access to renewable energy and removing the barriers that prevent underserved households from benefiting from sustainable power solutions. Every challenge encountered along the way has strengthened our resolve to help families reduce energy burdens, achieve greater energy independence, and build a more secure future. What began as a simple vision has evolved into a broader commitment to creating lasting change, one household, one community, and one opportunity at a time.