300 solar panels on the rooftops of Keene Housing 's Harper Acres lower the affordable housing community's energy costs, enabling them to free up more resources to provide safe, sanitary living accommodations to vulnerable and low-income populations. Since their founding in 1965, it's been Keene Housing's mission to advocate for families, and support residents' moves to greater economic independence.
The solar arrays installed in December of 2018 cover 10% of the energy needs from their 112 apartments. Each year, the system will generate roughly 105,592 kilowatt-hours (kWhs) of electricity, offsetting the equivalent of driving over 192,600 miles in a gas-powered car. Harper Acres is the first of Keene Housing's properties to go solar, and they plan to convert all of their housing to renewable energy to meet their goal of being 100% powered by renewables by the year 2035.
Keene Housing upgraded their energy efficiency with new windows and LED lighting for their Harper Acres apartments, and they also have a community garden. Executive Director Joshua Meehan says, "Reducing our energy costs provides us with capital that can be used to maintain the housing we have and to pursue new opportunities for creating additional housing for those in need. From an environmental standpoint, reducing our greenhouse gas emissions supports the community's efforts to remain a great place to live, work and play."
