Support for D.C.’s Rapid Investment in Renewables
Since announcing its commitment to investing in clean energy, creating green jobs and cutting greenhouse gas emissions, the DC City Council and Mayor Muriel Bowser have passed an expanded renewable portfolio standard (RPS) and unleashed new solar growth throughout the city for the next decade.
To support this effort, Standard Solar financed solar arrays on 15 new sites for the DC Department of General Services (DGS), approximately 2,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of additional on-site solar generation per year.
Becoming The World’s First LEED Platinum City
The solar arrays join the city’s rapidly growing solar portfolio which helped the District be designated the first city in the world to become a LEED Platinum city. In the past two years, with Standard Solar’s support, DGS has engineered and installed solar arrays on the roofs of 30+ public schools, other educational buildings (including administrative offices), police and fire facilities.
Those projects are now producing solar electricity totaling more than 7MW, or approximately 20 percent of the buildings’ electricity consumption. With the added 15 sites, onsite solar generation capacity will total more than 11MW on 50+ buildings in the District.
In-House Funding and Partnerships for Swift Development
Through its new in-house financing capabilities, Standard Solar is able to provide a ready source of funding for solar PV projects nationally. DC Solar, a CBE JV with headquarters in the District of Columbia, developed the project and Standard Solar will own and operate the facilities.
“We’re thrilled to help move our nation’s capital even further along in its mission to lead the rest of the world with its commitment to renewable energy,” said Tony Clifford, Chief Development Officer, Standard Solar. “For us, it was an easy decision to provide project funding for this round of projects and add to the city’s sterling reputation for climate-change leadership.”
“We commend DGS for its forward-thinking agenda and making solar such an integral part of it,” said Dr. Lilia Abron, PE, managing partner of DC Solar, a JV. “When our City calls us to serve, we are ready and willing to heed the call.”