Continuing a push nationwide by senior living and care to be more green, the latest continuing care retirement / life plan community to build an array of solar panels on property is Meadow Ridge in Redding, CT. The company announced an agreement with solar energy company Verogy this week.
Although the overall energy output will supply approximately 20% of the community’s annual energy needs — less proportionally than some other facilities’ plans — what makes their deal uncommon is that it was driven by the residents themselves.
“We’ve long had an interest in bringing solar to Meadow Ridge,” resident Susan Auslander said in a statement. “We were waiting for the technology to advance so that we could strike the balance between the financial investment, cost savings and the environmental benefits. Our solar committee wants to leave a cleaner, greener environment for our children and grandchildren.”
Such resident-driven initiatives exemplify the fact that solar panels, and renewable energy, are a desirable aspect of some senior living communities’ cultures, demonstrating a commitment to the environment and lowering carbon emissions.
As in the case with Meadow Ridge, however, there also are objective benefits to the facility beyond renewable energy; the solar panels will save the CCRC $7.3 million in energy costs over the panels’ lifespan.
The Meadow Ridge solar panels, which feature two arrays — rows of cells — on the carports and the community’s skilled nursing center, are expected to be up and running by November 2024.
Several long-term care operators have announced solar panel agreements in the past year.
California-based operator HumanGood is hoping to have both solar panels and solar water heaters installed at several dozen communities by the end of next year.
Meanwhile, the Village at Orchard Ridge in Virginia is working on solar arrays that will provide the community with a majority of its energy needs.
At least one site, Aegis Living Lake Union in Seattle, says it is run completely free of carbon emissions and claims to be the world’s “greenest senior living community.” The Aegis site was the only senior living development out of 10 honorees selected for the 2023 ULI Americas Awards of Excellence last month.
