Building Community Power | Groundswell

In all that we do, we work to deeply connect the value chain of each project to local community priorities including affordability, quality of life, jobs, training, and supporting local Black and woman-owned businesses. As we build projects, we build relationships that support and sustain our commitment to communities for the long term.

Projects in development include community solar, behind-the-meter solar projects serving community-based organizations, and large-scale solar projects that serve community-run utilities.

Launched in November 2015, Groundswell’s people-centric approach to developing community solar projects pioneered new models for delivering energy equity to local communities.

Washington, DC

Dupont Park Seventh Day Adventist Church in Ward 7

Dupont Park Seventh-Day Adventist Church Ward 7 in Washington DC

For over 100 years, the Dupont Park Church family has maintained a visible and effective presence in Washington D.C., combining the proclamation of the full gospel of Jesus Christ with the ministry of education. The church seeks to provide a dynamic worship experience that is relevant, personal, and authentic, while developing disciples that will serve locally, nationally, and globally. This project helps the Dupont Park Church family meet its mission to serve the community.
Dupont Park Seventh-Day Adventist Apartments in Ward 8

Dupont Park Seventh-Day Adventist Apartments Ward 8 in Washington DC

In Summer 2019, Dupont Park Seventh-Day Adventist Church and Groundswell partnered to begin construction on a 103 kW solar array at Dupont Park Seventh-Day Adventist Apartments in Southeast DC’s historic Ward 8 neighborhood. The project was made possible through the 2018 DC Solar for All program through the DC Dept. of Energy and Environment, and it was completed and interconnected in Spring 2020.
Monastery of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Ward 5

Monastery of Our Lady Mt. Carmel Washington, DC

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 receive up to $500 a year in clean energy savings.
Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church in Ward 7

Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church Ward 7 of Washington, DC

Rooftop and canopy solar arrays at Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church in Washington DC’s Ward 7 now provide the benefits of locally generated clean energy to District households. This 256 kW DC community solar array produces solar electricity for 73 local, income-qualified households, who receive up to $500 a year in clean energy savings per year per household through the DC Department of Energy and the Environment’s Solar for All program.
St. Luke Baptist Church in Ward 4

St. Luke Baptist Church Ward 4 in Washington DC

In June 2019, St. Luke Baptist Church in Ward 4 of the District of Columbia partnered with Groundswell to begin the installation of a 55 kW rooftop community solar installation. Funded in part through the 2018 DC Solar for All program, construction was completed in late-2019.

Illinois

Christ for Everyone Ministries in Chicago Heights

Christ for Everyone Ministries Chicago Heights, IL

A community solar installation at Christ for Everyone Ministries in Chicago Heights, Illinois, now provides clean, locally generated energy through the Illinois Solar For All program. This 654 kW DC solar project at Christ for Everyone Ministries was one of the first community solar installations built to serve low to moderate-income households to be approved under the Illinois Solar For All program. This solar installation aids the church in its mission of serving the Chicago Heights community.
Hillcrest Baptist Church in Country Club Hills

Hillcrest Baptist Church Country Club Hills, Illinois

A new behind-the-meter solar installation at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Country Club Hills, Illinois — a suburb south of Chicago — is now providing clean, locally generated energy through the Illinois Solar For All program thanks to a partnership between Hillcrest Baptist Church, Sunlight General Capital, My Community Plan Foundation, and Groundswell.
Smartflower at The Renaissance Collaborative in Chicago

The Renaissance Collaborative Chicago, Illinois

Mohawk Group, Groundswell, and other partners on Chicago’s Southside collaborated in June 2018 to unveil the first in a series of Smartflower™ solar systems. Mohawk Group is a global commercial flooring company with a commitment to sustainability.
Zakat Foundation of America

Zakat Foundation of America Bridgeview, Illinois

A behind-the-meter solar installation at the Zakat Foundation of America in Bridgeview, Illinois, now provides clean, locally generated energy through the Illinois Solar For All program. This 82 kW DC behind-the-meter solar installation will reduce electricity supply costs at the Zakat Foundation by roughly 65 percent and aid this global nonprofit in its ongoing humanitarian mission.

Maryland

Paddington Square Apartments in Silver Spring

Paddington Square Apartments Silver Spring, Maryland

A first-of-its-kind community solar installation on the rooftops of the Paddington Square Apartments in Silver Spring, Maryland, now provides the benefits of locally generated clean energy to Montgomery County households. This 273 kW community solar array produces solar electricity for 91 local households, including 28 Empowered (income-qualified) households, who receive up to $400 a year in clean energy savings per year per household.
Smartflower Solar System at The Empowerment Temple in Baltimore

In 2020, Mohawk Group and Groundswell teamed up with Empowerment Temple to install a new Smartflower™ solar energy system. The project is bringing the benefits of clean solar power to the area, creating educational opportunities, and contributing to Mohawk’s sustainability efforts to leave more handprints than footprints.

North Carolina

Smartflower by Rockingham County Schools in Eden, North Carolina

Eden's Central Elementary School Eden, North Carolina

In November 2018, Groundswell teamed up to install a new solar energy unit near three Rockingham County Schools in Eden, North Carolina. Mohawk Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and distributors of residential and commercial flooring. This project brings the benefits of solar power to the community where Mohawk is headquartered, creates educational opportunities for students, and advances Mohawk’s sustainability commitment to leave more handprints than footprints.

Georgia

Ark Refuge Ministries in LaGrange

Ark Refuge Ministries Calumet Park in LaGrange, GA

In 2021, Groundswell partnered with Ark Refuge Ministries, Solar Tyme USA, and The Solutions Project to install behind-the-meter solar at the Ark Refuge Ministries location responsible for serving the community and restoring the lives of individuals and families affected by issues related to homelessness and substance abuse.
Smartflower at The Phoenix in LaGrange

LaGrange Housing Authority LaGrange, GA

In June 2019, Groundswell partnered with the LaGrange Housing Authority (LHA) to install a solar Smartflower™at The Phoenix apartments. The installation was funded by The Solutions Project, an organization focused on elevating feminine leadership and frontline leaders of color who work toward making 100 percent clean energy a reality in their communities.