• Leveling the state’s energy policy playing field. This effort requires balancing energy standards to include solar thermal and creating a stable environment that encourages long-term investment, innovation and efficiencies.

• Solving local impediments such as development of solar friendly communities, identifying best industry practices and creating simple, clear and consistent zoning and permitting requirements across jurisdictions.

Tony Frank, executive director of the Colorado Renewable Energy Society, stated “All of these goals are quite achievable. However, they can only be achieved by a concerted campaign involving for-profit, non-profit and governmental stakeholder collaboration.”

Frank adds, “Organizations such as DHA show what can be accomplished and the benefits that residents receive when the commitment to solar thermal heating is made.”

DHA Renewable Energy

In addition to its Mulroy site, DHA has been active with many renewable energy measures on various projects in recent years.

Some of the highlighted measures in addition to solar thermal include solar photovoltaic and geo-exchange (thermal), which have been implemented at Hirschfeld Towers, Benedict Park Place, 1099 Osage Apartments and planned for the redevelopment of the South Lincoln Homes.

“This solar thermal installation at Mulroy is representative of our ongoing dedication to creating responsible and sustainable communities for our residents,” said Christopher Parr, DHA’s director of real estate development. “We seek to employ multiple renewable-energy measures such as solar thermal at our various housing sites to significantly lower operating costs. It’s a practical commitment that is a baseline for all of our new development efforts.”