Forestville, MD — FCP marked the completion of a 2.1-megawatt array system at Holly Spring Meadows Apartments in Forestville in partnership with Standard Solar. The New Community Solar Energy Generation System consists of an 800-kilowatt (kW) carport array and a 921-kW rooftop array at the 224-unit apartment community, equivalent to offsetting the carbon emissions of 1.6 million pounds of coal or charging 182 million smartphones for a year. The system is comprised of nine building arrays, nine carport arrays, and three points of interconnection to the PEPCO electrical grid. This combination of roof and carport will generate a combined 2,120 megawatt hours of clean energy annually, allowing it to offset the demand of more than 300 homes. 50% of energy produced on site will be allocated to individuals of low to moderate income households.
Officials from FCP, Standard Solar, and New Columbia Solar participated in a ribbon-cutting event on Saturday, August 5th, marking the completion of the project’s installation. In addition, FCP, through its FCP Serves employee-led community outreach initiative, welcomed residents and their families with a Back-to-School Backpack event, giving away 75 backpacks stuffed with school supplies in what has become an annual event at communities throughout the company’s portfolio. FCP donated more than 800 backpacks throughout its apartment portfolio in the past year.
“In 2019, FCP began exploring renewable energy solutions that would provide greener homes and improve returns for our investors,” said FCP’s Dara Vaziri. “After two years of extensive due diligence, we partnered with New Columbia Solar for FCP’s first solar deal ever. New Columbia Solar has done a great job building an approximate 2.1-megawatt system that will power approximately 300 homes annually.”
“FCP is thrilled to be partnering with Standard Solar in our first solar array at Holly Spring Meadows,” said FCP’s Lollie Loflin. “This community solar project supports FCP’s robust energy savings strategies and reduces the overall carbon footprint of the community. Along with the exciting news on our energy strategies, we are thrilled to send our youngest residents off to school this year with new backpacks stuffed with school supplies!”