SolarCity, William C. Smith + Co. and the D.C. Housing Authority Celebrate Solar for Multifamily Affordable Housing

Solar power will reduce electricity costs for Sheridan Station apartment building in southeast D.C.

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SolarCity®, William C. Smith + Co., a leading local real estate development and management firm, and the D.C. Housing Authority today announced completion of a 429-panel, 103-kilowatt solar power installation on a new affordable housing complex within Sheridan Station, a major redevelopment project in the district’s reemerging Ward 8 community.

“SolarCity is privileged to contribute to a project that gives back to the community around it in more ways than one.”

The solar installation is expected to produce enough electricity to offset roughly 30 percent of electricity usage in the five-story, 114-unit apartment building’s common areas, thereby defraying about one-third of that portion of the building’s annual electricity costs. The Sheridan Station solar project is the largest solar power system installed to date on a D.C. Housing Authority development.

“Sheridan Station is a premier sustainable housing development for the District of Columbia,” said Matt Engel, development project manager with William C. Smith + Co. “SolarCity’s support and guidance helped us complete an exemplary, energy efficient housing complex and demonstrate that green building is an affordable option as well as the best way to create healthy, sustainable neighborhoods for all of our citizens.”

William C. Smith + Co. has applied for LEED platinum status with the U.S. Green Building Council, which would make the building one of the “greenest” multifamily affordable housing projects in the area.

“Our partners at William C. Smith + Co. clearly understand that solar power can provide both economic and environmental benefits,” said Leon Keshishian, regional director of SolarCity’s mid-Atlantic operations. “SolarCity is privileged to contribute to a project that gives back to the community around it in more ways than one.”

SolarCity has completed or initiated more than 100 solar projects for affordable housing communities in the U.S. The company also has more than 120 solar projects completed or underway in the city of Washington, D.C.

About William C. Smith + Co.

William C. Smith + Co. is a Washington, DC – based multidisciplinary real estate firm. The company has provided integrated real estate services to the Washington metropolitan area for four decades. In complement to its development, construction, sales and financial divisions, the firm owns and or manages a portfolio in excess of 12,000 units of residential real estate. With a group of subsidiary service companies under the William C. Smith + Co. umbrella, the firm is able to offer exemplary service to its clients. Our commitment to our clients, our investors and community partners, and to each other is to create healthy, sustainable neighborhoods in which to live, work, and do business.

About the D.C. Housing Authority

The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) is the leading provider and manager of safe, affordable and well-maintained housing for people of low and moderate income in Washington, DC. The Authority works closely with residents, landlords and the DC government to improve the quality of life in the District through better housing and diverse neighborhoods. In addition to providing quality housing, DCHA actively helps its residents grow both personally and professionally through a variety of economic development and self-sufficiency programs, as well as the facilitation of other supportive services. DCHA, an independent housing authority, is lead by an 11-person Board of Commissioners.

About SolarCity

SolarCity® — a national leader in solar power design, financing, installation, monitoring and energy efficiency services — was founded with the mission to help millions of homeowners and businesses adopt clean power, protect themselves from rising gas and electricity costs and protect their environment from polluting power sources. The company’s SolarLease® and Power Purchase Agreement (SolarPPA™) options can make it possible for homeowners and businesses to switch to clean solar power for less money than they currently pay for electricity. SolarCity’s 24 operations centers serve Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai’i, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington, D.C. Additional information about the company is available on the Web at www.solarcity.com.