First phase of Gallaudet solar installation nears completion 

The first phase of the Gallaudet Solar Installation is nearly complete. Over the last year the project team, led by Scale Microgrids, has installed approximately 3,500 solar panels across seven campus buildings. The project team is currently working with Pepco, the local electric utility, to obtain final approval to start generating solar electricity. Once the system is live, hopefully by the end of December, Gallaudet’s solar panels will generate enough electricity to meet the needs of approximately 300 homes or small businesses in Washington, D.C. 

The solar installation is an important component of Gallaudet’s microgrid project which will enable the University to generate its own clean energy and significantly reduce campus energy costs. Gallaudet’s solar arrays are unique in that most of the power generated by the solar panels will be sold into the District of Columbia’s Community Solar program. With this program, Washington D.C. residents, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses can subscribe to Gallaudet’s solar arrays and receive a credit on their electricity bill. This arrangement brings revenue to the university while providing critical resiliency benefits in the event of a grid outage.  

This groundbreaking project is already being recognized as a model for other campuses to follow. Microgrid Knowledge, an industry publication, recently awarded the project the Greater Good Award for the best Grid Connected Microgrid. 

The second phase of the solar project is well underway. While still in the design phase, the second round of solar installations could increase Gallaudet solar capacity by almost 30 percent. Watch for updates during the coming year. 

How can you subscribe to Gallaudet’s solar arrays?  

If you live in Washington, D.C. and are interested in subscribing to Gallaudet’s community solar project, please visit https://www.perchenergy.com/intro/lp-gallaudet-university.  For general information about the Community Solar program in D.C., visit the Solar Initiatives page on the D.C. Department of Energy and Environment website. If you do not live in the District or want to see other community solar projects in D.C., visit the Energy Sage site to see if community solar is available in your area.