The Denver Housing Authority of the City and County of Denver (DHA) will soon launch its new Community Solar Program, making it the first Housing Authority in the country to develop, own and operate its own community solar garden. The program is the latest addition to DHA’s award-winning “Living Green” initiative which has, through concentrated green building design and construction, established DHA as a national energy conservation and renewable energy industry leader.

The Community Solar Program allows other Denver metro housing authorities and affordable housing providers to participate, expecting to provide 20% average energy savings to subscribers and offset over 54,000 tons of CO2 emissions.

“It’s exciting to be able to not only supply our own residents with a source of clean, renewable energy, but to also offer hundreds of low-income families across metropolitan Denver with reduced and predictable energy rates,” states Ismael Guerrero, DHA’s Executive Director. “In addition, the program’s design provides a scalable example that other Housing Authorities can easily replicate for their local communities”.

A goal of the Community Solar Program is to bring much-needed career development, job training and employment opportunities to residents interested in entering the booming solar industry. “The Community Solar Program aligns with DHA’s Section 3 goals of workforce development and training with over 50 trainees receiving solar industry training by GRID Alternatives,” added Chris Jedd, DHA’s Portfolio Energy Manager.

DHA’s Community Solar Program, is supported by Xcel Energy’s Solar* Rewards Community® program, with project’s financing partners of Enterprise Community Loan Fund, Monarch Private Capital, National Housing Trust–Financial Consultant, and the participation of several other key partners: GRID Alternatives, Ensight Energy Consulting, Namaste Solar and SolarTAC.