A team of solar developers was looking to install rooftop and carport solar arrays on two mixed-use commercial buildings in downtown Washington, D.C. to benefit lower-income residents in the D.C. area. RETTEW was the ideal candidate to make this goal a reality because of our vast experience in designing solar arrays, as well as general permitting and interconnection coordination. RETTEW also helped our client navigate the complex construction logistics in downtown D.C.

Prior to this project, RETTEW had not worked with any of the applicable Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) including the Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO) and the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA). With limited knowledge of how these entities work, there was a learning curve to ensure we met all requirements in our drawings and each of our submissions. RETTEW also provided necessary services like subsurface utility engineering and surveying, which were not included in the initial scope of work. Though this was unexpected, RETTEW’s in-house experts quickly adjusted to this need and met the client’s request.

With close to 2,700 panels, this 1.0MWDC/0.9MWAC combined array is expected to generate 1.3 GWH in the first year of operating. This is the largest combined solar array in D.C. and was completed in 2020.