George Washington University

Install Date: Winter 2019

George Washington University provided rooftop space on five campus buildings for the development of a 497 kWAC (579 kWDC) solar system. 1,700 LG 340W photovoltaic panels and 15 SolarEdge inverters are installed across the Smith Center, Lisner Auditorium, Funger & Duques Hall, Monroe Hall of Government, and Media & Public Affairs Building.

The project was developed through a collaboration of Community Renewable Energy, a solar developer helping low income residents and nonprofits access solar, and Root + Branch, an organization focused on renewable energy and community development. GOT Electric, LLC installed the system, while New Columbia Solar owns and operates the system. The D.C. Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) provided project funding through their “Solar for All” Innovation and Expansion grant.

NCS, by way of an affiliate LLC with Root + Branch called Neighborhood Solar Equity (NSE), will disburse the financial benefits from the project to provide financial assistance to low-to-moderate-income residents and nonprofits across the District. The system is estimated to bring over $100,000 per year for fifteen years in clean energy savings to income-qualified D.C. residents and nonprofits that serve those residents. That means that for every $1 worth of energy produced, $1.50 is shared!

In addition to the financial benefits, the newly installed solar panels will provide numerous environmental benefits. Most significantly, approximately 450 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCDE) created by traditional electricity generation will no longer be emitted into the atmosphere. This is roughly equivalent to removing 100 cars from the road each year the panels operate.

See the Neighborhood Solar Equity Project site for more details including live production reporting.