Marc Rowell’s mission with Deep Green Retrofit, launched in 2021, is to develop energy efficient, move-in ready housing for working-class families, putting affordability and sustainability ahead of personal profit.
Growing up in public housing in North Philadelphia, Rowell came to believe that the residents deserved better. That idea combined with his passion for sustainability led him to a study abroad program in Nepal and China, where, as an undergrad, he recognized the untapped potential of solar energy in the affordable housing market.
After returning home, Rowell trained with Solar States, a Certified B Corporation, in Philadelphia, becoming an installer for the company in 2019 before advancing to a project manager role. Micah Gold-Markel, founder of Solar States, recalls Rowell’s passion: “He was our top salesperson for a solid year.”
Rowell’s latest passion project — Deep Green Retrofit’s first fully renovated home — was listed for $170,000 in November, with a sale pending. The three-bedroom, one-bath West Philadelphia row house not only boasts solar panels and Energy Star appliances, but also comes with an orange bicycle and a one-year subscription to Bennett Compost.
On a house tour, Rowell’s enthusiasm builds as he descends the stairs into a clean, unfinished basement. “My favorite thing in the house is the heat pump water heater,” he says. “It uses less energy than some people’s toaster,” he explains, estimating that typical water heaters, in contrast, account for 10% of a home’s total energy costs.
To keep renovation costs down — and set future residents up for a lower cost of living — Rowell took advantage of tax credits and rebates from PECO and the local and federal governments. “Installing green appliances was a no-brainer,” he says.
“People in the development business usually want to double their money” rather than address the lack of affordable, sustainable housing stock, says Gold-Markel. “It’s impressive that [Rowell] says, ‘I’m going to solve THAT problem.’”
