Boulder solar project powers modular housing factory

BOULDER, Colo. — Namaste Solar and the City of Boulder have partnered on a clean energy project to power a local modular housing factory with rooftop solar, helping advance the city’s affordable housing and climate goals.

Namaste Solar, an employee-owned cooperative and Certified B Corporation, installed a 333.54-kilowatt rooftop solar system at Boulder Mod, a modular home factory at 6500 Arapahoe Road. The facility is a joint project of the City of Boulder, Boulder Valley School District and Flatirons Habitat for Humanity. It produces energy-efficient, all-electric modular homes that are permanently affordable for low- to middle-income households.

The solar project supports Boulder’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030 and achieve net-zero status by 2035. The system is designed to offset the factory’s total electricity use. City officials said the savings on utility costs will be reinvested in housing programs.

“This project exemplifies the powerful intersection of renewable energy and community development,” said Jay Sugnet, senior planner for the City of Boulder and project manager for the factory. “By integrating solar energy into Boulder Mod, we’re not only reducing our carbon footprint but also supporting the production of affordable, energy-efficient homes that our community urgently needs.”

The Boulder Mod project is the latest chapter in the city’s long-standing partnership with Namaste Solar. In 2020, the company installed 13 solar systems across municipal buildings, including parking garages and water facilities.

The new installation supports more than 20 clean energy jobs at Namaste Solar and was partially funded through incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. That legislation introduced “elective pay,” allowing non-taxable entities such as municipalities to access tax rebates for clean energy projects. Boulder also received funding through Xcel Energy’s Solar*Rewards C&I Income-Qualified and Disproportionately Impacted Communities program.

In total, the project secured a $333,540 grant from the Energy Impact Offset Fund, a city program requiring cannabis cultivators to offset 100% of their energy use.

“Municipalities have more options than ever to leverage solar energy to reduce costs and protect against rising energy expenses,” said Rachel Mountain, co-owner and director of commercial sales at Namaste Solar. “This project is a shining example of how renewable energy can empower cities to achieve their climate goals while supporting innovative programs like Boulder Mod. It’s a win-win for the community and the environment.”

The homes built at Boulder Mod will also contribute to community redevelopment, including efforts to replace housing lost in the 2013 flood at the Ponderosa Mobile Home Park.