March 10, 2020 - Washington, DC
On March 10th, 2020, the Friars solar project attained Commercial Operation. SunLight General installed a ground-mounted community solar array at the Monastery of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, the home of the Washington Province of Discalced Carmelite Friars. The energy generated at this site is distributed to local households through community solar subscriptions.
SunLight has developed this project in partnership with the NYCEEC (New York City Energy Efficiency Corporation) as the sole lender.
The 151kW project will follow an innovative model created by Groundswell, a 501(c)3 non-profit that develops community solar projects and programs for underserved communities, in which 25% of the site’s capacity is allocated to income-qualified (LMI) households to provide deep utility bill savings. By doing away with credit checks and long-term contract obligations, the project’s energy will be accessible to groups that might otherwise be excluded from a growing solar energy industry.
“What a fine way to observe the commandment to ‘Love your neighbor’ through this project,” said Friar Salvatore of the Discalced Carmelite Friars. “We’re pleased to be serving our surrounding communities by generating electricity that will benefit our neighbors, while fulfilling our obligation to care for and protect our common home, the planet Earth.”
SunLight General co-founder Stacey Hughes echoed these sentiments, saying, “SunLight General is proud to have partnered to develop this solar project in the District of Columbia. Through the community solar program, this project is aligned with the District’s environmental goals, will help to support the mission of a not-for-profit religious organization, and will cut electricity bills in half for participating low-to-moderate income residents.” SunLight General owns and will operate the project moving forward, as it continues to build on its track record of providing the DC area with clean, affordable energy.
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