Four new solar arrays were recently energized at Maple Crest at Lee Walker Heights, an affordable housing apartment property in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. Mountain Housing Opportunities (MHO) and the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville partnered with Pisgah Energy and Eagle Solar & Light to design, develop and install the roof-mounted solar arrays totaling 176 kWdc. Serving as on-site electrical generation for the apartment complex, the renewable energy produced by the arrays will help offset the energy usage of four apartment buildings.
Asheville Housing has invested more than $10 million in energy efficiency improvements in its communities over the last 15 years, but this is the first major solar PV initiative. “We are proud of this work, which reduces both our carbon footprint and operating costs, to keep our communities affordable,” said Executive Director David Nash.
This is the third solar installation in affordable housing for Mountain Housing Opportunities, which installed similar, though smaller, systems at East Haven Apartments in Swannanoa and Eagle Market Place in downtown Asheville last year. MHO has also previously installed two solar thermal systems.
“Many thanks to the NC Housing Finance Agency for providing the supplemental funding that covered the expense of this installation,” said MHO Executive Director Scott Dedman.
Pisgah Energy was the lead designer and developer and worked in collaboration with Eagle Solar & Light to provide construction services for the project. According to Evan Becka, President and Senior Project Developer at Pisgah Energy, “It’s been a pleasure working with MHO, Asheville Housing and Eagle Solar & Light on this project. We believe that solar is for everyone, so it means a great deal to have played a part in bringing solar power to Maple Crest Apartments.”
Eagle Solar & Light installed the project utilizing Qcells modules, SolarEdge inverters and PanelClaw’s flat roof racking system. “It was an honor to install the solar arrays at this site. At the end of the day, we often have a great sense of accomplishment from what we do but knowing who would benefit really made this project special. Having reduced energy bills due to solar makes it even better,” said Michael Churchman, Eagle Solar & Light’s Chief Operations Officer.
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