The Housing Authority of the City and County of Denver (DHA) has scheduled the launch of its new $3.8
million Community Solar Program for Friday, October 27, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., 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.

“Today is a remarkable day. Community Solar exemplifies our commitment to clean, renewable energy across our communities and to residents served by the DHA and other housing providers in our metropolitan area,” states Ismael Guerrero, DHA’s Executive Director. “And, we believe the program design is one that can be replicated by other Housing Authorities across the country to provide reduced and predictable energy rates.”

The Community Solar Program launch will take place at Aurora’s SolarTAC, one of the largest test facilities for solar technologies in the United States. The 74-acre site will serve as home for both the project’s ground mount solar gardens and its career development facility. Project Manager GRID Alternatives Colorado, the nation’s largest nonprofit solar developer and job training organization, will provide affordable housing residents interested in entering the booming solar industry with hands-on training, certification and employment throughout construction and beyond.

The launch event will also feature a Community volunteer event led by GRID Alternatives Colorado. Over 100
supporters and volunteers from across the Front Range will actively demonstrate their commitment to the
environment, renewable energy and their community with the on-site installation of DHA’s solar arrays.