Powering Change: How Solar Energy is Revolutionizing Riverton Community Housing

Harnessing the power of the sun to generate electricity has long been hailed as one of the most promising solutions to combat climate change and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. At Riverton Community Housing, we are proud to be at the forefront of this movement, taking concrete steps towards a sustainable future by embracing solar energy.

In our commitment to making a positive impact on the environment, we joined forces with All Energy Solar in 2021 to install solar panels on three of our co-ops: Brook Avenue, Fourth Street, and Franklin Housing Co-ops. This collaboration resulted in the installation of a total of 400kW of rooftop solar, a significant milestone in our journey towards reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable living within our communities. The solar energy generated by these installations has tangible economic advantages for our co-ops. The energy savings from the rooftop solar systems help offset the energy consumption on the common area meters. By producing clean energy locally, we reduce the need to purchase electricity from the grid, resulting in a lower carbon footprint for our communities and long-term cost savings for our members.

But the environmental benefits of solar energy extend beyond simply reducing carbon emissions. Each megawatt-hour (MWh) of energy produced by our solar panels also generates a Renewable Energy Credit (REC). These credits represent the environmental attributes of renewable energy production and can be "retired" to claim the associated environmental benefits. Alternatively, they can be sold to other entities, allowing them to benefit from the positive environmental impact. Looking ahead, the projected environmental benefits over the course of 25 years are truly remarkable, amounting to over 7,000 metric tons of CO2 offset. To put this into perspective, it is equivalent to displacing 7,000,000 pounds of burned coal, planting 190,000 trees, or taking 1,500 gasoline-driven passenger vehicles off the road for an entire year. These numbers underscore the immense positive impact that renewable energy can have on our environment.

Incredibly, the solar panels installed at Riverton Community Housing have already surpassed our initial energy production forecasts in 2023. This achievement not only demonstrates the efficiency and reliability of solar technology but also highlights the immense potential that exists for further solar expansion in our communities. By embracing solar energy, Riverton Community Housing has set a powerful example for others to follow. We are proving that sustainable living is not only achievable but also economically viable. As we continue to harness the power of the sun, we are actively shaping a brighter and cleaner future for ourselves and future generations.