Powering Public Housing: Solar at New Bedford Housing Authority’s Crestview and Westwood Communities
Aerial view of a few of Sunwealth’s solar installations powering New Bedford Housing Authority communities.
At the New Bedford Housing Authority (NBHA), every dollar counts. With one of the largest public housing portfolios in Massachusetts, NBHA is committed to providing safe, secure housing while being strategic about long-term cost savings—especially when it comes to energy.
With a focus on sustainability and financial stewardship, NBHA identified an opportunity to expand its clean energy portfolio at its Crestview and Westwood properties. The challenge? These projects were considered too small to finance through traditional means.
The solution came through a unique partnership between PowerOptions and Sunwealth, enabling NBHA to bring clean, on-site solar energy to these communities—with zero upfront cost.
A Model for Sustainable Public Housing
NBHA has long been a leader in providing housing for low- and moderate-income families in Massachusetts. Founded in 1937, the housing authority has consistently prioritized sustainability and energy efficiency in its operations.
“We are very forward-thinking when it comes to sustainability and energy conservation,” shares Cynthia Spence, Director of Modernization, Planning, and Development at NBHA. “Whatever we can do to fulfill our mission—making sure our tenants have safe, secure, and economically feasible places to live—is a win for us.”
Solar without Upfront Costs with PowerOptions and Sunwealth
Through PowerOptions’ clean energy programs and Sunwealth’s impact-driven financing, NBHA was able to install solar at Crestview and Westwood with zero upfront costs. The two developments are now home to 112 kW of solar, helping NBHA achieve significant savings on electricity while advancing its electrification and sustainability goals.
Project Impact at a Glance
112 kW of solar installed at Crestview and Westwood
$356,000 projected savings over the system’s lifetime
2,800 metric tons of carbon reduced over the system's lifetime
20 years of full operations and maintenance by Sunwealth
For NBHA, the benefits go beyond the bottom line. With Sunwealth managing system operations and maintenance, the housing authority can focus entirely on its mission—without having to worry about system performance or upkeep.
“We’re actually quite relieved we don’t have to worry about these projects,” Spence adds. “We don’t own them—we just reap the benefits. And that’s welcome for us.”
Scaling Impact, Building Momentum
The solar success at NBHA reflects something bigger: a growing movement to ensure that the benefits of clean energy reach the communities that need them most. These projects prove that solar doesn’t have to be large-scale or utility-owned to make a real difference—it can be local, impactful, and rooted in community.
At Sunwealth, we’re proud to work with mission-aligned partners like NBHA and PowerOptions to bring solar within reach of organizations that have historically been overlooked by traditional financing models. Each project—whether on the roof of a housing development, a school, or a food pantry—represents a step toward a more democratic and resilient energy future.
We’re continuing to grow this work: more community-based solar projects, more energy savings for mission-driven organizations, and more opportunities to deliver environmental and economic benefits where they matter most.
About Sunwealth
Based in Cambridge, MA, Sunwealth is a clean energy investment firm working to change who has access to renewable energy by changing the way we invest in it. Combining deep experience in solar development and finance with roots in community and impact investing, Sunwealth invests in diverse commercial solar projects delivering clean energy and energy savings to communities while providing strong financial returns to investors and community partners. Since 2014, the company has invested over $250 million across 765 community-based solar projects nationwide that will deliver over $150 million in lifetime energy savings to Sunwealth customers. For five consecutive years, ImpactAssets named Sunwealth to its IA50, a leading list of impact fund managers. Learn more at www.sunwealth.com