Namaste Solar, an employee-owned solar cooperative and Certified B Corporation, partnered with the City of Boulder to install a 333.54 kW flush-mount rooftop solar system at Boulder Mod, a modular home factory located at 6500 Arapahoe Rd., Boulder, CO. The factory, a partnership between the City of Boulder, Boulder Valley School District and Flatirons Habitat for Humanity, produces energy-efficient, all-electric modular homes that are permanently affordable for low- to middle-income households. This facility is at the forefront of addressing two critical community needs: affordable housing and climate action.

By powering the all-electric Boulder Mod factory with solar energy, this project directly supports the city’s comprehensive Climate Action initiatives and reduces operational costs for the facility. Boulder is committed to achieving a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and becoming a net-zero city by 2035. The system is designed to offset the factory’s total expected electricity consumption, ensuring that every dollar saved on energy is reinvested in Boulder’s mission to expand affordable housing.

"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 modular home 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 City of Boulder and Namaste Solar have a long-standing partnership in renewable energy initiatives. In 2020, Namaste Solar installed 13 systems across City of Boulder facilities, including parking garages and the water resource facility. The Boulder MOD project represents the next chapter in this successful collaboration, further strengthening the City of Boulder’s position as a sustainability leader. Not only does this project advance the City of Boulder’s energy goals, but it also drives local economic growth, supporting over 20 good-paying clean energy jobs at Namaste Solar.

The Boulder Mod solar installation was made possible in part through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, which created new incentives for clean energy adoption. One of the most significant changes for municipal governments has been the introduction of elective pay (also known as direct pay), enabling local governments to access tax rebates for clean energy projects, even as non-taxable entities. Through elective pay, combined with additional payments from Xcel Energy’s Solar*Rewards C&I Income-Qualified and Disproportionately Impacted Communities program, Boulder was able to maximize the financial benefits of installing solar at this critical facility. The project received $333,540.00 as a grant from the Energy Impact Offset Fund, an ordinance that requires 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 not only provide housing stability for community members but will also help to redevelop communities like the Ponderosa Mobile Home Park, which was severely impacted by Boulder’s 2013 flood.

For details on Namaste Solar’s services and commitment to empowering communities through renewable energy, visit namastesolar.com.