Solar Options for DC Residents: ANC 6A Report by Nick L. Alberti

Solar Options for DC Residents

ANC6A REPORT

by Nick L. Alberti

Chair Amber Gove (6A04) convened the April 9, 2021 meeting of Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6A via Zoom with Commissioners Keya Chatterjee (6A01), Mike Soderman (6A03), Laura Gentile (6A05), Robb Dooling (6A06), Sondra Phillips-Gilbert (6A07) and Brian Alcorn (6A08) in attendance. Commissioner Phil Toomajian (6A02) was absent.

Solar Options for DC Residents

Katya Botwinik, an Energy Program Specialist with the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) presented on the Solar For All program. The mission of this DOEE program is to bring access to solar energy to 100,000 low to moderate income homes by 2032. DOEE is partnering with organizations across the district to install solar panels on single-family homes and set up community solar projects that will bene t renters. Community solar projects take advantage of o -site solar farms and panel arrays on large buildings like schools and warehouses or built on designated land. This allows renters to enjoy the cheaper, cleaner energy from solar sources even if they cannot install panels on their dwelling. Participants in this program can expect to save, through credits applied to their monthly electricity bills, about $500 per year for 15 years. To learn more or apply, visit doee. dv.gov/solarforall or call (202) 299-5271.

Jessica Finnegan, an outreach coordinator for Grid Alternatives, a DC based nonpro t solar installer talked about two programs her organization is also running in partnership with DOEE. They’re o ering no-cost solar panel installation for qualifying DC residents as well as the Solar Work DC training program. The training program is for DC residents 18 years of age and older lasts 12 weeks, Monday through Friday, paying $10 per hour. For more information about this training, email solarworksdc@gridalternatives.gov.

Residents interested in no-cost solar panel installations must meet an income threshold, own their home, reside in the home and have a roof in good condition as determined by the installers as the solar system will need to be in place for 20 years. Homeowners taking advantage of this program can also expect to see a credit to their Pepco bill of about $500 per year with no additional bills or fees. To learn more, visit gridsolar.org/sfa, email dcoutreach@ gridalternatives.org or call 866-921-4696.

Transportation and Public Space (TPS) Committee

• The Commissioners voted, unanimously, to send a letter to the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) opposing the issuance of permits for the installation of the small cells in Rosedale until more information is received about the process for selecting locations and the safety of 5G small cell infrastructure; and that DDOT contact ANCs rst before issuing permits. • The Commissioners voted to send a letter to DDOT in support of Public Space Permit Application #361713 for the replacement of a retaining wall at 424 11th Street NE. • The Commissioners voted, unanimously, to pass a resolution in support of extending the DC Streetcar to the Benning Road metro station and support for requisite funding in the FY 2022 budget.

The Transportation and Public Space Committee meets at 7:00 pm on the third Monday of each month.