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Affordable-Housing Developer Installing Solar Across Entire Portfolio

Mercy Housing Inc., a Colorado-based nonprofit affordable-housing developer, is launching a partnership with Los Angeles-based solar firm Promise Energy Inc. to increase solar energy nationwide. The program involves installing 3 MW or more of new solar capacity across Mercy Housing’s entire portfolio, which totals about 18,000 units.

Because affordable-housing communities usually operate on thin margins and have limited roof space, they often struggle to implement solar energy programs. Through this collaboration, Mercy Housing and Promise Energy say they intend to show that affordable housing can, and should, be solarized.

Through a solar power purchase agreement model, Promise Energy will provide the installation and management of solar energy on a property at little or no upfront cost to Mercy Housing, and Mercy will then buy the electricity the solar panels generate.

Mercy Housing notes that a technical assistance grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) helped the nonprofit search for a solar partner.

“We are delighted that the HUD technical assistance was used to build capacity for Mercy Housing’s innovative approach,” remarks Crystal Bergemann, senior energy analyst in HUD’s office of economic resilience. “This partnership is groundbreaking; we are pleased to see a long-term commitment to the solarization of an entire national affordable-housing portfolio, showing that solar works for low-income communities.”

“This approach allows us to achieve real economies of scale and stay ahead of changes in rebates, regulations and technology,” says Caitlin Rood, Mercy Housing’s national environmental sustainability director. “What we’ve found in Promise Energy is a dynamic and dedicated partner who is able to both operate at a national scale and dive into the details of each project to come up with the best solution.”

 

Historic Birthplace Of Henry David Thoreau Adds Solar

Thoreau Farm, the birthplace of Henry David Thoreau, has installed a solar energy system on its Concord, Mass., property. Solect Energy, which provided the installation for free, says it will own the 7 kW system and donate the power to Thoreau Farm at no charge.

“Our partnership with Solect brings an innovative, sustainable approach to supplying electricity to Thoreau Farm,” states Ken Lizotte, president of Thoreau Farm’s board of directors. “Our renovations over the past several years have attempted to capture Thoreau’s ideals and apply them to the 21st century. We believe solar fits into the simple, yet contemporary, approach we are trying to bring to the house. ”

In addition to Solect’s donations, Canadian Solar contributed panels for the ground-mount system and Yaskawa - Solectria Solar donated the inverter.

Thoreau Farm’s move toward solar began a decade ago when plans were first implemented to rehabilitate and renovate the 18th-century farmhouse where transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau was born 199 years ago. Thoreau, famous for writing “Walden; or, Life in the Woods,” is also known as the father of the modern-day environmental movement.

With the help of Concord’s Green Team - consisting of area sustainability professionals - Thoreau Farm has made use of a series of green efficiency materials, including an electric heat pump for heating and cooling, environmentally sound shingles, a rainwater collection unit, a greywater disposal system, and a composting toilet. The solar installation represents the latest chapter in the sustainable rehabilitation of the farmhouse.

 

Duke Increases N.C. Portfolio With 40 MW Project

Featuring 670 miles of wire and cable and 487,000 solar panels, Duke Energy’s 40 MW Elm City Solar Facility is online in North Carolina.

Located at 4579-4699 Haynes Rd. in Wilson County, the plant is currently supplying energy to customers. According to the company, the project’s expected annual output of 82,000 MWh is roughly what 7,000 residential customers would use in a year.

“Duke Energy has embraced solar energy in North Carolina as a means of providing even more renewable resources to our customers,” says David Fountain, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president. “We continue to push for projects that promote new and renewable technologies while keeping rates below the national average.”

Duke Energy owns and operates 35 solar facilities across North Carolina. In the past year, the company’s retail electric companies have completed solar projects in Bladen, Duplin and Onslow counties. Construction is slated to start on projects in Davie and Monroe counties. Its commercial business unit, Duke Energy Renewables, recently purchased six solar facilities in Bertie, Edgecombe and Northampton counties.

Last year, Duke Energy added 300 MW of solar energy in North Carolina. In total, Duke Energy says its companies have installed about 450 MW of solar energy in the state - enough to power 85,000 average homes at peak production.

 

Toyota’s New North American HQ Will Be Green

When Toyota moves into its new North American headquarters next year, the automaker says it plans to “catch a ray,” as the Plano, Texas, campus will feature a large solar project.

According to the company, the approximately 7.75 MW system is expected to provide about 25% of the power needed for the new headquarters. Current plans call for the system to be completed in phases. Phase one will cover two parking structures - approximately 2.45 MW per garage - and will come online by August 2017. The final installation, located on a third parking structure, is slated for December 2017 and will produce about 2.83 MW.

“We are dedicated to making sure our new headquarters campus supports - even redefines - Toyota’s commitment to the environment,” states Toyota’s Kevin Butt. “The Plano solar system will not only reduce our environmental footprint and educate team members about renewable energy - it moves us closer to Toyota’s 2050 global environmental challenge to eliminate carbon emissions in all operations.”

The company says the new project will further position Toyota as a leader among auto companies in the U.S. for installed solar power.