HelioPower and Power to the People has announced "Help for the Holidays," a joint campaign to help households in California and Nicaragua secure affordable solar energy.

Sponsored by Canadian Solar "Help for the Holidays" allows California homeowners to adopt solar with a $500 cash back offer and free solar installation. The campaign also includes a gift card giveaway to help California residents with holiday gift giving. For every home solar system installed through the campaign, HelioPower will donate to the new Solar Lighting Program, recently launched by Power to the People.

"So many people around the world have no lights to see by at night. We're excited to work with HelioPower as we launch our Solar Lighting program in order to bring affordable solar lights to families in Nicaragua this winter," said Jenean Smith, executive director, Power to the People, and marketing director for Trojan Battery.

The Power to the People initiative was featured at the recent Solar Power International 2011 "Women in Solar" gathering in Dallas, Texas, where Smith presented the nonprofit's mission during a panel discussion.

"It is difficult for us to imagine living without electricity when so much of our daily lives depend on it. Yet people in other parts of the world live without this resource," she said.

In the United States, with energy prices increasing annually, many homeowners struggle with high electric bills. During the holidays those energy bills often increase to cover holiday lighting and heating costs.

"We are very happy to sponsor a worthy program with industry-leading partners to bring clean energy to people around the world," said Alan King, general manager of Canadian Solar USA.

"Helping California consumers save money during the holiday season while also providing an important daily resource to people who otherwise might not have it is an ideal example of the power and reach of solar energy."

"Imagine being able to buy presents instead of paying your electric bill," said Scott Gordon, vice president of residential sales for HelioPower.

"Our holiday campaign is designed to help homeowners with $150 cash gift cards to cover their electric bills and to offer savings for years to come. We are very pleased that the campaign empowers California homeowners to assist families in Nicaragua in lighting their homes affordably as well."