WinnCompanies has completed the largest community solar project aimed at reducing energy bills for low-income residents in Washington, D.C.
After being awarded a $1.3 million grant from the District’s Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE’s) Solar for All Program, WinnCompanies installed a 651-kilowatt community renewable energy facility on the roofs of Atlantic Terrace Apartments, announced the firm, which is working to bring additional community solar projects online throughout the District.
“Community solar projects prove that solar is not just a luxury for those that can afford their own panels, but that solar can also work for renters living in multifamily housing,” says Darien Crimmin, vice president of energy and sustainability at WinnCompanies. “This project will benefit nearly 200 income-eligible households over the next 15 years, helping to create jobs, improve local air quality, and showcase the success of the Solar for All Program for District residents.”
In addition, the firm will continue working with DOEE to expand the District’s solar capacity and provide the benefits of solar energy to local communities, helping residents save up to $500 a year, according to Crimmin.
The clean energy from rooftop solar panels installed at Atlantic Terrace will be fed into the District’s utility grid through an arrangement known as net metering. The savings will then be passed back to qualified low-income residents through credits reflected on their utility bills.
“Solar for All provides a tremendous opportunity for our residents to take advantage of renewable energy savings, and we’re excited to continue our work with WinnCompanies to expand the availability of solar energy for low- and moderate-income households,” says Tommy Wells, director, DOEE. “This project brings jobs, clean energy, and energy independence to the District of Columbia, and we hope our work serves as a model for success to communities across the country.”
The program seeks to provide the benefits of solar electricity to 100,000 low-income households in Washington and reduce their energy bills by 50% by 2032.
The solar installation at Atlantic Terrace occurred as the company was completing a $69 million rehabilitation project at the community and its sister property, Atlantic Gardens. The two-year effort not only modernized 303 apartments but also preserved both communities as critically needed project-based Sec. 8 housing for 750 residents.
WinnCompanies acquired Atlantic Terrace in 1982 and has managed the property since. Built in 1964, it is comprised of 195 units in six three- to four-story garden-style buildings.
In the past decade, the Boston-based company has invested more than $50 million in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects across its affordable housing portfolio, combating climate change while saving money for residents and property owners.
