Las Serenas

In November 2009, Community HousingWorks (CHW), a leading affordable housing developer in San Diego County, was awarded the first Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) Track 2 grant by the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) to install solar energy in the Las Serenas affordable housing community.

Las Serenas is located at 4352 Delta Street, San Diego, CA 92113.   The MASH Track 2 funds supported the installation of a 67.5 kilowatt (kW) DC solar photovoltaic facility with 100% of its production going to tenants using Virtual Net Metering.  The solar power system utilizes 300 Canadian Solar CS6P 225P solar panel modules.   

The solar facility will offset approximately 1,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per unit annually, and save each tenant over $100 of their anticipated yearly electricity expenses. In addition, with the installation of a performance monitoring system for each inverter, CHW and HelioPower modified the system to offer free wireless internet access to all residents.

CHW worked with HelioPower to develop and fulfill the Las Serenas solar installation and program. The grant funds provide free solar energy to the low-income families at Las Serenas, an affordable rental community located in one of San Diego’s poorest neighborhoods. The program also provided residents with job training and educational support on all aspects of sustainable living.

HelioPower provided turnkey solar power financing and construction and augmented the program with wireless internet service for the Las Serenas community.  The company also delivered the educational and training programs for the community’s tenants. Through the grant program, a system performance monitor was placed in a community room, providing tenants with a clear representation of the solar power system production, CO2 saved, and conservation tips.

Las Serenas Goes Solar! Celebration - Thursday, June 9, 2011

Children running in the grass.  Volunteers securing tents.  Dignitaries making their way to a donor’s reception. The many hands that have helped shape a sustainable community where once violence ran amuck all gathered last Thursday.  Those who have volunteered, supported and helped build this bright light of an affordable housing community in an oppressed neighborhood in San Diego came together to celebrate another milestone in the history of Las Serenas.  Las Serenas Goes Solar!

Donors, dignitaries, politicians, federal and state program representatives, construction partners and the community itself all rallied to help Community HousingWorks (CHW) celebrate another accomplishment for Las Serenas. The Las Serenas solar celebration was held Thursday, June 9 on the community grounds. 

Community HousingWorks staff was joined by Congressman Bob Filner (D-Calif.),  NeighborWorks America CEO Eileen Fitzgerald,  Irene M. Stillings, CCSE Executive Director and solar installation partner, HelioPower, among many others to celebrate their solar and green building initiatives.

100% of the clean energy generated from the solar power system will benefit the Las Serenas tenants, offsetting on average 20% of their annual electricity bills.  Additional ‘green’ apartment improvements, funded through a grant from NeighborWorks America, will also lower tenant utility bills and create a more sustainable community.

For more information and additional photos of the Las Serenas Goes Solar! event, please click here.