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Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church in Ward 7

Groundswell 2021

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.

As the developer, Groundswell worked with community partners to develop an equitable solar array that will allow Sargent Memorial to further its mission of service to the Deanwood community throughout every hour that the sun shines over the church.

SunLight General Capital — a woman-owned solar investment firm, and Working Power — an innovative company that centers environment justice and community co-ownership — financed this solar project, and SunCatch Energy — a Black-owned solar installation company — oversaw engineering, procurement, and construction for this project. SunCatch is an experienced, local, fourth-generation, Black-owned business with a track record of successful solar installations in the District and Maryland. DC Office of the People’s Counsel — under the leadership of Pamela Nelson — coordinated with Groundswell and Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church to ensure that this solar installation would meet the needs of the church and the surrounding community.

As part of the DC DOEE Solar for All program, the rooftop and parking lot canopy solar installations at Sargent Memorial Presbyterian Church support Mayor Muriel Bowser’s 2016 commitment to bring the benefits of solar energy to 100,000 low to moderate-income families in the District of Columbia.

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