A 2.18-megawatt solar array currently underway at the 684-unit Seneca Village apartments in Gaithersburg is the largest rooftop solar project on a multifamily property in Montgomery County.
The roofs on the 58 buildings are expected to be completed next month. The solar project currently is in the permitting stage and includes energy-efficient roofs that have reflective coating.
The project is by Solar Energy Services and Patuxent Roofing and Contracting and is financed by the Montgomery County Green Bank in partnership with Viginia Community Capital and NYCEEC, a New York company that loans money for green projects. This project includes $5 million in financing.
When completed, the affordable rental property is expected to save about 2,500 kilowatt hours in energy and generate more than $300,000 in annual savings. Without this solar array, the apartments would generate about 2,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide greenhouse gas emission each year, according to Montgomery County Green Bank.
“A fundamental part of our mission is to support the County’s climate goals of equitable access to clean energy. This project situated in an Equity Emphasis Area and on an affordable housing property is such an example,” said Tom Deyo, CEO of Montgomery County Green Bank, in a news release. “Further, this collaboration with Virginia Community Capital and NYCEEC is the perfect depiction of how the Montgomery County Green Bank leverages capital and innovative partnerships to facilitate clean energy projects in the County.”
Virginia Community Capital President and CEO Amir Kirkwood added, “The team at the Montgomery County Green Bank shares our vision to improve access to renewable energy and affordable housing within the region.”
Seneca Village Apartments sit on 40 acres.
