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March 28, 2023
National Lutheran Communities & Services (NLCS) and DSD Renewables (DSD) have completed the installation of a 1.85 megawatt (MW) ground mount solar project at The Village at Orchard Ridge—A National Lutheran Community in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia.
This recently completed project represents a significant step forward in NLCS' commitment to environmental sustainability and achieving 100% clean, renewable energy usage across its communities. The installation will meet 85% of The Village at Orchard Ridge’s energy needs by producing an estimated 2,396 MWh of energy per year, the equivalent of powering 330 homes annually and yielding additional environmental benefits:
“We believe that ‘Leadership by Doing’ is the best way to make a meaningful impact on our community,” said Richard Mazza, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Business Planning and Development at National Lutheran Communities & Services. “This project is a testament to that mindset. Not only does it reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower energy costs, but it also gives our residents an opportunity to be proactive in environmental initiatives. We’re happy to serve as a model to other Life Plan Communities of what’s possible when it comes to what many non-profits may consider beyond their reach or expertise. The team at DSD brought the expertise and creative partnership we needed to bring our sustainability vision to fruition.”
“In the face of growing climate change concerns, it’s increasingly important that organizations like NLCS take the lead in demonstrating environmental stewardship, and we're proud to have been a part of it,” said David Eisenbud, Senior Director, Origination of DSD. “In this new market for DSD, our team brought ingenuity and rigor to every step in the process, and now we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on residents at The Village at Orchard Ridge and the surrounding community.”
Construction for this project began in July 2022, launching NLCS’ first large-scale ground mounted solar project and expanding DSD’s footprint to 23 states. Not only was this project in a new market for DSD, but solar was also a newer generation asset class for the local utility. The project was met with challenges, but DSD and NLCS worked closely with the local utility to implement innovative design and engineering solutions that enabled the project to come to fruition while minimizing disruption to the community’s 400-plus residents.
About National Lutheran Communities & Services
National Lutheran Communities & Services (NLCS) is a faith-based, not-for-profit ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s (ELCA) Delaware-Maryland, Metropolitan Washington, D.C. and Virginia synods, serving people of all beliefs. NLCS partners with older adults and their families to provide solutions for successful aging through retirement
communities and in-home service options and awards grants to other organizations supporting underserved older adults through Impact1890. Through this suite of activity, we are carrying on a legacy to reimagine aging as we serve the next generation of older adults.
NLCS is committed to a legacy of environmental stewardship that fosters the well-being of the communities in which we serve. In doing so, we commit to:
To learn more about NLCS’ commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability, visit: https://www.nationallutheran.org/nlcs-story/environmental-stewardship/.
Entities affiliated with NLCS include myPotential at Home in Winchester, Virginia, and Rockville, Maryland; The Village at Rockville in Rockville, Maryland; The Village at Augsburg in Baltimore, Maryland; The Legacy at North Augusta in Staunton, Virginia; The Village at Orchard Ridge in Winchester, Virginia; a grant-making organization Impact1890, and The Village at Providence Point, a new continuing care retirement community to open in Annapolis, Maryland. For more information, visit http://www.nationallutheran.org.
About DSD
DSD Renewables (DSD) is transforming the way organizations harness clean energy while building a more sustainable future. With unparalleled capabilities including development, structured financing, project acquisition and long-term asset ownership, DSD accelerates the deployment of renewable energy resources and creates significant value for our commercial, industrial, and municipal customers and partners. Backed by world-leading financial partners like BlackRock Real Assets and rooted in our founding at GE, our team brings a distinct combination of ingenuity, rigor, and accountability to every project we manage, acquire, own, and maintain. To learn more about how DSD’s partnerships are improving the quality of life in communities around the country, visit DSDRenewables.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.