Last week, team members from the Monterey office traveled to Watkins, Colorado to meet members from the construction crew on site at one of RPCS’ Colorado Array DuraTrack HZ tracker projects. Some of the most rewarding aspects about building DG projects across the country lie within the history and stories behind the projects. This particular project, built for the Denver Housing Authority is a perfect example. In partnership with GRID Alternatives and Namaste Solar, RPCS was proud to sponsor and attend GRID Alternative’s community solar build event.
GRID Alternatives Colorado partnered with the Denver Housing Authority (DHA) to build a 2MW, 100% low-income community solar garden, the country’s first that is developed, owned, and operated by a housing authority. Last week’s community build day event invited more than 150 volunteers, solar job trainees, and solar construction interns to come together and learn about the benefits of solar energy and the communities that it supports. Participants toured the project site, learned about the technology behind solar power and single axis trackers, and shared in the hands-on experience of the construction process.
Alongside GRID Alternatives and developer Namaste Solar, RPCS employees volunteered their time to help supply energy burdened families with affordable, renewable energy. The build day culminated in a celebration of the progress made and the hard work of all involved, where the presence of political champions, such as Aurora, Colorado Mayor Steve Hogan and members of the state senate, advocated for solar job training, community engagement, and clean energy.
The 11-acre array, including nearly 6,000 modules, will serve an estimated 500 to 700 homes, all DHA residents who qualify for the program and are below 185% of the federal poverty level. Not only will the program help families reduce their energy bills by nearly 20%, but it is also benefiting solar job seekers and reducing our carbon footprint. The solar garden will save 54,139 tons of C02, and is equivalent to planting 1.2 million trees, or taking 10,374 passenger vehicles off the road for one year.
Solar power generated from projects like the Denver Housing Authority Community Solar Garden will help low-income households live more affordably, helping contribute to their long-term financial security.
Learn more about the event here.