Montgomery County’s largest rooftop solar project was launched Wednesday during Earth Week and with the sun shining brightly.
Seneca Village Apartments in Gaithersburg soon will host solar panels on all 58 of its buildings, which cover 684 multifamily affordable apartments. It’s a 2.18-megawatt roof-mounted system that is expected to save residents the equivalent of one month’s energy bill annually and bring the county closer to its goal of zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.
It is expected to eliminate emissions from the equivalent of 400 cars each year.
To make this happen, a partnership of state, county and local governments, the Montgomery County Green Bank, private investors and solar energy experts worked together.
Representatives from The Green Bank, Solar Energy Services, Sierra Club, Orlo and governmental officials, including Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, were on hand in the apartment’s parking lot to cheer on the project’s start.
“We know solar works, but Montgomery County really legitimized us an industry,” declared Lisa Walsh of Solar Energy.
Seneca Village Apartments is getting a 2.18MW roof-mounted solar system @mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/HqSoaraaFN
— suzanne pollak (@SuzannePollak) April 19, 2023
Awesome job by Seneca Village apartments in Gaithersburg, @MCGreenBank, and financing/contractor partners to bring a significant rooftop solar project to this affordable housing community.
A true model for the State we were lucky to have @GovWesMoore join us to celebrate! pic.twitter.com/bXxBAMG5CE
— Councilmember Dawn Luedtke (@dawn_luedtke) April 19, 2023
Happening now: Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass along with other Councilmembers are among those attending the Montgomery County Green Bank Solar Event at at Seneca Village affordable apartments in Gaithersburg. pic.twitter.com/NKXe5ZS6di
— Montgomery Council (@MoCoCouncilMD) April 19, 2023
Proud to join @GovWesMoore during #EarthMonth for the launch of the largest multi-family #solar project in Maryland! Thank you @MCGreenBank for facilitating innovative financing solutions and public-private partnerships to help us reach our goal of 100% #renewableenergy by 2035! pic.twitter.com/tUlM1D2sOS
— Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles (@CM_Sayles) April 19, 2023