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Nearly 300 low-income D.C. residents to get solar panels on their homes

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Going green is helping lower expenses and create new jobs

By Michelle Goldchain
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Photo via Wikimedia Commons/United States Navy/Chief Mass Communication Specialist Bill Mesta

Hundreds of homes in Washington, D.C., are going to get a whole lot greener, thanks to a brand new eco-friendly program launched this Monday by Mayor Muriel Bowser and introduced by Councilmember Mary Cheh. The program, known as Solar Works D.C., will install solar panels on the homes of nearly 300 low-income residents in the District.

By doing this, yearly expenses will drop by approximately $600 for the homeowners, according to the Executive Office of the Mayor website. Over 200 participants of the Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program will also be given job training.

In a statement, Bowser said, “Last month, I signed a mayoral order reaffirming Washington, D.C.’s commitment to the Paris Agreement, and today’s launch of Solar Works D.C. is a concrete example of how my administration is taking local action to fight climate change. By preparing Washingtonians for careers in rapidly expanding green industries and making it easier for residents to access clean energy, we are taking our commitment to the environment and DC’s green economy one step further and modeling how cities can lead the way on this critical global issue.”

Solar Works D.C. is a collaboration between the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) and Department of Employment Services (DOES).

Last year, Bowser signed the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Expansion Amendment Act, which aims to increase the amount of energy from renewable sources to 50 percent by 2032 and expand solar capacity in the District to 5 percent by 2032. Since Bowser took office in 2015, over 1,600 solar energy systems have been installed, representing a 56 percent increase in the number of systems.

• Mayor Bowser to Launch Solar Works DC [Executive Office of the Mayor]

• Mayor Bowser Launches Summer Cohort of Solar Works DC, Accepts SolSmart Gold Award [Executive Office of the Mayor]

[UPDATE: While Bowser launched the program this Monday, the legislation is thanks to D.C. Councilmember Mary Cheh.]

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