New Orleans – October 30, 2024 — NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS), together with real estate developer Green Coast Enterprises (GCE) and community-scale clean energy developer, WorkingPower, announces a first of its kind community solar project to be built on two charter school campuses, which will provide electricity to the school communities at a discounted rate. NOLA-PS selected GCE to oversee the project, which will create community solar sites on the campuses ofG.W. Carver High School and Abramson Sci Academy. The two sites will generate a total of 6.7 MWof solar power, via ground mounted solar panels, which will be sold to Entergy New Orleans.Eligible households will then be able to subscribe to the NOLA-PS Community Solar. Subscribers will enjoy an estimated savings of up to $250 per year on their Entergy bills, delivering an estimated$8.6 million in energy bill savings over the life of the project and generating lease income for NOLAPS. This will directly benefit roughly 1,400 households and create many clean energy jobs.
“On behalf of NOLA Public Schools, our district is delighted to bring community solar to our campuses. This initiative represents an incredible opportunity to not only support our schools but also directly benefit the families we serve,” said NOLA-PS Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams.“Our goal is to create a more sustainable future for New Orleans, and this project does exactly that—reducing energy costs for families while contributing to cleaner energy for our city. This is about more than just saving on electricity; it's about creating a lasting impact for generations to come."
Green Coast and Working Power are partnering with Thrive New Orleans to provide workforce training and education, Solar Alternatives for solar design, installation, and maintenance, and will also work with Neighborhood Sun, an experienced national subscriber management firm.
“We’re really proud to be a part of this development because it fits perfectly with Green Coast’s mission in that it lets our local community be a part of the clean energy transition,” said GreenCoast Enterprises CEO, Jackie Dadakis. “We’re making the New Orleans grid greener, and our neighbors get to be part of the benefit. It’s a perfect partnership of community and business. It’s our goal to develop many more of these cost-savings solar communities across our area.”
Co-developer, Working Power brings expertise from developing over 15 MW of community solar as well as financing and equity to support the development of this project that will deliver at least 20% energy bill savings to low-income households and generate revenue for NOLA-PS that can then be reinvested in support of their school community.
“We are thrilled to be co-developing this first of its kind community solar project in partnership with Green Coast Enterprises for the benefit of the NOLA-PS community and families who will benefit from energy savings,” said Working Power Senior Project Developer, Nora Barger. Initial funding for the project comes from a Community Power Accelerator Prize that NOLA-PS won through the U.S. Department of Energy National Community Solar Partnership. The up to $400,000prize, secured in phases as the development progresses, will be used for pre-development of the solar sites. The remainder of the $18 Million development will come from Working Power’s Working Power Impact Fund (WPIF), the state’s solar for all program, the green Bank of New Orleans, and investment tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act.
NOLA-PS was the only school district in the Gulf South to be awarded a federal prize.
“I’m incredibly proud that NOLA Public Schools is taking the lead in bringing community solar to our campuses. This project is a testament to our commitment to innovation and sustainability, not just in education but also in the way we serve our broader community,” said Orleans ParishSchool Board President, Katie Baudouin. “By harnessing clean energy, we are lowering energy costs for our families while setting an example of environmental stewardship for our students.Being recognized with a federal grant for this initiative highlights our district's forward-thinking approach and dedication to improving the quality of life for all those we serve."
The NOLA-PS Community Solar project is expected to be making power by the second quarter of2026. Prior to that, eligible families will be given sign-up information. It’s predicted to serve 1400households affiliated with the two schools.
###About NOLA Public Schools: NOLA Public Schools is the public school district for Orleans Parish.It includes the district’s administration and elected school board, known as the Orleans ParishSchool Board. NOLA Public Schools currently oversees 71 public schools and is led bySuperintendent Dr. Avis Williams, the first woman in the District’s 181 years to serve as its permanent superintendent. For more information, visit www.nolapublicschools.com. For updates, follow NOLA Public Schools on Facebook @NOLAPublicSchools, Instagram @nolaps andTwitter @NOLAPSchools.
About Green Coast Enterprises: Green Coast Enterprises develops real estate and provides real estate services focusing on urban and coastal areas in need of community renewal. We pursue opportunities that address community needs, including social inequity and economic stagnation, and seek to foster strong relationships with tenants and neighbors. We develop partnerships with public, private, nonprofit, and community organizations to further our common goals. Since 2007,GCE has helped develop over $200 million of properties in New Orleans, including over 2,000housing units. GCE pursues opportunities that advance the triple bottom line of “people, planet, and profit” striving to increase economic vitality, environmental health, and social opportunity through development and partnerships with public, private, non-profit, and community organizations to further our common goals. Green Coast Enterprises is a Stage 3 Certified GreenBusiness, indicating a high level of commitment to community involvement, social equity, and resource conservation.
About Working Power: Working Power (WP) is a project development and financing platform that connects frontline communities with impact investors to help build wealth and power through climate solutions. We partner with community-based organizations, small businesses, and labor organizations to co-develop and co-own clean energy assets that center economic and racial justice. WP projects are locally owned and directed, support wealth building, and generate revenue to fund community priorities. WP has set a goal to rapidly deploy $300 million into 100 MW of community owned clean energy assets that advance a just transition. We are committed to creating high quality jobs, more resilient local economies, and investing in climate solutions at the scale of our national challenge.
Working Power strives to help break deeply rooted cycles of systemic and structural injustice while accelerating an equitable and inclusive transition to a low carbon economy. We do that by empowering direct community ownership of clean energy assets that build wealth and power in frontline and low-income communities and communities of color. Working Power partners with local non-profits and other community-based organizations to develop these justice-centered clean energy projects that also create high-quality jobs with family supporting wages and benefits and offer pathways to participation in the clean energy economy for those who have been historically excluded from it.
