Solar savings reach multifamily affordable housing

GRID’s multifamily solar program is taking off! New partnerships and policies are allowing us to ramp-up our services for multifamily affordable housing developments across the country. From D.C. to New York to California we are providing everything from technical assistance to direct installation to help tenants and housing providers alike reap the benefits of clean, renewable energy.

On the east coast, we just launched a partnership called Affordable Solar New York to provide low-cost solar power for affordable housing in New York City. Our first project will be for Nazareth Housing, a nonprofit that serves vulnerable community members with immediate shelter and other services. The solar electric system is projected to reduce electricity costs by 30 percent, generating savings Nazareth Housing can redirect to program services.

“Being in a flood zone that was significantly impacted by superstorm Sandy, solar capacity brings environmental and fiscal benefits, while also helping us build resiliency for the future,” said Michael Callaghan, Executive Director of Nazareth Housing.

In our nation’s capital, work is underway on a 118-kilowatt, 16 array system on Parkchester Apartments in Southeast D.C. The system will offset 100 percent of the electricity costs for common area spaces, allowing the property owner to complete comprehensive energy efficiency upgrades to all 94 apartment units that will translate to big savings for families.

And in Richmond, California we’re installing solar on a 98-home affordable housing development with funding from California Climate Investments through the state’s Low Income Weatherization Program. In addition to direct savings for tenants, the project is providing thousands of hours of hands-on solar training for students at local job training organization​s such as Solar Richmond and Rising Sun​​, residents of the development and other local trainees and volunteers.

We’re excited and grateful for the partnerships and policies that are allowing us to serve renters and families in affordable housing developments, a group we’ve been working hard to bring into the GRID family. If you live in affordable multifamily housing, send your property owner to our website to learn more about our offerings! Special thanks the The JPB Foundation for it support our multifamily program.