Housing Authority of San Bernardino Dedicates Solar Power System at Maplewood Homes at "70 & Solar" Event
Celebration is held at the Housing Authority's Affordable Housing Community's Solar Power Installation Built by HelioPower to Benefit Low-Income Families with Free Solar Energy
SAN BERNARDINO and MURRIETA, Calif., Dec. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (HACSB), the largest provider of affordable housing in the County, and HelioPower, an integrated energy solutions company with over 2000 solar and clean energy systems engineered and installed since 2001, today announced the completion of the largest Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) Track 2 grant project in California. HACSB celebrated their 70th anniversary with a solar dedication and resident energy efficiency training held yesterday at Maplewood Homes, a 296 housing unit community, home to over 1100 residents.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111201/LA15274)
100% of the clean energy generated from the solar power system will benefit residents at this affordable housing community. An average family at Maplewood Homes spends $572 annually on electricity. Community-wide the average cost saving from the solar power generated energy will be $166 per unit per year, or about 30%.
In late 2010, Southern California Edison awarded its first and largest MASH Track 2 Grant ($1,840,000) to HACSB for this innovative project, which incorporates solar retrofits atop 100 of the community's rooftops, green job training and creation as well as ongoing solar production monitoring and green outreach. HACSB worked with HelioPower in the development of the grant proposal, engineering and construction of the solar power system and development and delivery of the educational, training and Internet components of the program.
"The MASH Track 2 award has provided employment for our residents and local businesses. Families at the site have also been learning about conservation measures including the benefits of solar power and conserving energy," states Susan Benner, HACSB's President/CEO.
"This is part of a larger more comprehensive strategy the Housing Authority is developing for energy management. It's our intention to reduce energy and water use across our housing portfolio, which today includes over 3,000 units of affordable, market rate and senior housing," explains Benner.
This project is the first of many solar installations that the Housing Authority is pursuing to show its' commitment to implementing green initiatives not only to increase sustainability and save energy, but also to provide employment opportunities for its residents in the growing green-building industry. HelioPower hired two residents and one community member giving them the opportunity to learn a new trade and gain solar industry expertise.
The MASH funding included the installation of solar power systems by HelioPower on 98 residential homes and 2 community buildings in the development. HACSB is monetizing the savings from the green energy generated on the common area meters and channeling those funds into the green job training programs now underway.
Maplewood Homes is an affordable housing community located at 1738 West 9th Street, San Bernardino. The MASH Track 2 funds supported the installation of a 302 kilowatt (kW) DC solar photovoltaic facility with 85% of its production going to tenants and 15% being channeled through common area energy savings to help fund on-site employment. The solar facility will offset over 1500 kilowatt hours (kWh) per unit annually.
HelioPower Vice President of Business Development Tom Millhoff said, "HACSB's demonstrated outstanding initiative, creativity and financial savvy in developing this solar project in conjunction with a major energy efficiency retrofit and property upgrades at the affordable housing community of Maplewood Homes. The result is substantially improved living environment for tenants, reduced living expenses, and a shining legacy that sets the 'green standard' for other Housing Authorities."
About The Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino
The Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (HACSB) is the largest provider of affordable housing in the County, providing housing services the nearly 30,000 individuals and families in San Bernardino County, the majority of which are children, seniors, and persons with disabilities. HACSB is not only a housing provider and developer, but a community resource and advocate for the residents of San Bernardino County. For more information on the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino, please visit www.hacsb.com
About HelioPower
HelioPower is an integrated energy solutions company with over 2000 solar and clean energy systems engineered and installed since 2001. We reduce energy costs and develop energy assets by leveraging renewable energy production, demand side management and return on investment strategies for clients in the U.S. and abroad. For more information, visit http://www.HelioPower.com.
SOURCE HelioPower, Inc.
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