A community solar installation located on the serene campus of the Monastery of Our Lady Mt. Carmel in Washington, DC, has been providing the benefits of locally generated clean energy to District households since the spring of 2020. This 151 kW community solar array produces solar electricity for 50 local households, including 12 income-qualified, Empowered households, who each receive up to $500 a year in clean energy savings per year.
As the developer and subscriber management provider, Groundswell uses its innovative SharePower platform to support the Discalced Carmelite Friars in their mission to serve the community. The SharePower project improves local energy equity while promoting clean energy to care for the environment. This solar installation is possible thanks to the committed leadership at the Monastery of Our Lady Mt. Carmel and Groundswell, in partnership with SunLight General Capital.
SunLight General Capital — a woman-owned solar investment firm — financed this solar project, and Ipsun Solar — a regional solar energy contractor that balances purpose and profits to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy — oversaw engineering, procurement, and construction for this project.
In the spirit of service, Groundswell also worked with the Discalced Carmelite Friars to reduce the monastery's electricity bills by connecting them to energy efficiency opportunities through the DC Sustainable Energy Utility and additional savings from wind power.
