September 14, 2009

Berkeley, CA, USA: Solar-Powered, Affordable Housing Community Nears Completion

The new solar installations at the Crescent Park apartments in Richmond, California are nearing completion. This is largest solar-powered affordable housing community in the United States. EAH Housing, a nonprofit affordable housing developer and manager based in San Rafael California, contracted with Berkeley-based Sun Light and Power to provide solar power to serve 24 buildings and 378 family apartments for this large community on nearly 25 acres.

Solar Powered Crescent Park apartments in Richmond, California

The solar installation at Crescent Park – a $7 million dollar project installed by Sun Light and Power, based in Berkeley, CA – will help reduce the production of greenhouse gases while providing lower utility costs for this large, family complex. The installation also helps the city of Richmond to meet almost 20% of its 5 MW goal for usage of solar power.

Producing nearly a megawatt of clean, renewable energy, the 908 kilowatts system includes 4323 SunPower, 210-watt modules and 180, SunPower M Series inverters.

Gary Gerber, President of Berkeley’s Sun Light and Power said: “I am honored and pleased that EAH chose Sun Light & Power to build America’s largest affordable housing solar project here at Crescent Park. Sun Light & Power’s engineering expertise and our 33 years of experience designing and installing solar systems made us a great match with EAH, who clearly recognize that solar electricity must play a pivotal role in providing the renewable energy this country needs to reduce our environmental impact and stabilize our future energy costs.”

Crescent Park has been undergoing a $70 million restoration by EAH Housing. EAH Housing acquired Crescent Park in 1994, and quickly moved to restore it to its former status as a valued community resource. It has since been awarded the HUD “Best Practices” Award for its Computer Learning Center, which provides access to technology to low-income residents.

“We are proud to provide solar power for all 378 apartments as part of our major rehabilitation and improvement of this important affordable housing community that has served Richmond since the 1960s,” said Mary Murtagh, President and CEO of EAH Housing.

Further details about: Sun Light and Power