Washington Lawyer - March/April 2020 - 29

FEATURE

Solar for All cites four main sustainable energy goals: improve the efficiency
of energy use to reduce overall consumption, increase the proportion of energy
sourced from clean and renewable supplies, modernize energy infrastructure
for improved efficiency and reliability, and minimize the generation of
greenhouse gas emissions from all sources.

Patrice Gilbert Photography

Through a Solar for All grant from DOEE, New Partners received syndicated tax credit equity and a loan backed by the sale of solar renewable
energy credits. "This credit is available for producers of renewable energy,"
Lesk says. "And it can be sold on a capital market for regulated entities
that essentially need to purchase them."
Solar for All cites four main sustainable energy goals: improve the efficiency of energy use to reduce overall consumption, increase the proportion of energy sourced from clean and renewable supplies, modernize
energy infrastructure for improved efficiency and reliability, and minimize
the generation of greenhouse gas emissions from all sources.
According to an April 2019 report from the Environment America
Research & Policy Center, Washington, D.C., ranks 15th in the nation for
per capita solar photovoltaic capacity installed. When comparing cities
by region, the District leads the South Atlantic with 91.7 watts per person.
"Accomplishing our Solar for All goals is going to be difficult because it
involves so many moving parts," says Tommy Wells, DOEE director. He
also cited the city's challenging landscape when it comes to installing
solar panels on rooftops. "No other city in the United States has taken
on a project as ambitious as Solar for All."

NEXT STEP: ENERGY RESILIENCE
In 2018 New Partners created a "resiliency hub" in the Maycroft basement.
In the event of a power outage, the room will run a battery system for up
to three days. For residents who can't relocate and are relying on refrigerated medicine and other medical devices that run on electricity, the resiliency hub is a potential lifesaver.
"The battery will already be charged, and the solar production will
continue charging it," Lesk explains. "The hub will have outlets for residents to charge cell phones, use microwaves, and keep other devices
such as televisions and radios on."
That's great news for Bugg, who uses a sleep apnea machine and an electricity-powered nebulizer to help treat his chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease. "From my personal experience, benefits such as a resiliency hub
are received by people who are more well-off than the residents at
Maycroft. We're very grateful," he says.
Ely of Jubilee Housing says renewable energy is often associated only
with people of means. "You had to be really wealthy to put up solar
panels on your home. Opening it up in this way is so meaningful to
Jubilee Housing because now we've found a way for our residents to

MARCH/APRIL 2020

WASHINGTON LAWYER 29

Washington Lawyer - March/April 2020

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