Denver Urban Ministries Solar Thermal Array
In May 2011, TAC completed installation of a 10 kW grid-tied solar electric (PV) system on the roof and facade of the Denver Urban Ministries (DenUM) headquarters in downtown Denver, CO. The 501(c)(3) non-profit, DenUM, serves financially disadvantaged families and provides emergency assistance to stabilize families experiencing crisis by helping them to sustain employment and the continued enrollment of their children in the schools they currently attend. Currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, DenUM has expanded from its original role as a food pantry to include homelessness prevention, health & legal services, job training and advocacy services.
The solar array that will be installed will generate approximately 40% of the building’s electricity. The projected 30-year cost savings for DenUM is $125,000—equivalent to the cost of serving more than 100,000 client meals or the average level of financial assistance needed to prevent 150 families from being evicted.
This project represents an innovative clean energy solution that will not only reduce DenUM’s grid-based electricity demand, but also enhance staff comfort at the agency’s headquarters. Nine of DenUM’s ten offices are south-facing and the spaces have experienced chronic over-heating and sun glare problems despite the prior installation of an evaporative cooler. By designing the solar arrays to also serve as awnings shading the windows, the cooling and sun glare issues will be greatly reduced.
This project was made possible by construction financing provided by TAC and incentives from Xcel Energy and the Treasury Department’s Tax Grant in Lieu of Tax Credit program.