Earlier today, Flywheel Development celebrated the ribbon cutting for the Rock Creek Ford solar shingle installation. We were joined by representatives from DC government, the DCSEU, DOEE and the DC Greenbank. We were thrilled to be working with such great partners to bring a truly transformational project to fruition!

Flywheel Development is committed to taking action to make discernable progress towards a better, cleaner city for future generations. Flywheel is proud to have completed one of the first SunStyle solar shingle roofs in the U.S., right here in the District of Columbia. Unlike traditional solar installations, where solar is installed above a conventional roof, the integrated SunStyle product is an elegant solution that combines the functionality and durability of a roof with energy generation.

WHY THIS PROJECT IS IMPORTANT

Unlike traditional solar installations, where solar is installed above a conventional roof, the integrated SunStyle product is an elegant solution that combines the functionality and durability of a roof with energy generation. This new solar shingle installation is part of the DC Solar for All program, in partnership with the DC Sustainable Energy Utility, the District Department of Energy and Environment, with construction financing provided by the DC Green Bank. This solar roof will produce enough energy for six income-qualified households.

Projects like this one are important not only because they help reduce our environmental footprint and provide a clean energy source, they also act as a model for how communities can benefit and participate in the green economy.

As an impact developer, we focus on innovation, and this project demonstrates how we use cutting-edge technology to co-create value for our partners and the community.

The more examples that we can develop of how solar can be efficient and effective, the faster we can grow the community that will drive positive change using solar power.

WHY SOLAR IS CRITICAL TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

While there are several ways to gain energy to fuel our ever-changing world, solar power has numerous benefits. The main advantage is that it is a renewable, clean source of electricity. The sun is an extremely powerful source of energy that continuously gives but does not pollute the air.

Solar power is also scalable. This means that it can be deployed on an industrial scale, or it can be used to power a single household. On a small scale, the extra electricity generated can be stored or in some areas, fed into the electrical grid that’s already established. 

Since the sun emits much more energy than we’ll ever need, the main limitation of solar is our ability to convert it to electricity in an efficient way. With technology improving in the sustainability sector so rapidly, there’s reason to believe that our ability to harness the power of the sun will only increase with time. While yes, solar is weather dependent, technologies will allow for more efficient harnessing, better battery storage, and more cost effective ways to create and maintain equipment as we continue to research and develop new technologies. The incredible potential of improvements on the horizon is another reason that solar is crucial in the journey towards a more sustainable future. 

The road ahead of us is filled with opportunity. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), 13% of US homes are expected to have a solar PV system by 2030. SEIA predicts that 300 GW of new solar capacity will be installed in the next 10 years, more than 3 times what was installed in 2021 alone.