Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6) is introducing legislation today to solve two problems at once: a lack of shade across the District – including at many DC playgrounds and parks – and the need to add more solar panels generating electricity in the District.

The Solar Shade Expansion Amendment Act of 2024 would require the District government to identify 20 sites, ranging from playgrounds and parks to sidewalks, bike lanes, and roads, that could benefit from solar canopies – that is, structures that support solar panels while providing shade. The goal is to provide shade, reduce heat exposure, and provide clean energy to our power grid all at once. The bill then requires funding in the District’s Capital Improvements Plan for five capital projects to include solar shade as soon as the FY27 budget and all 20 projects beginning in FY28. It also permits the Department of Energy and Environment to issue grants to private entities in pursuit of solar shade projects.

“As a parent, I’ve seen how our playgrounds can be unusable because of the heat. And even if our days weren’t getting hotter, parents across the city would love to have more shade at all of our playgrounds and public spaces,” Councilmember Allen said. “This is one problem where throwing a little shade would be a good thing. The District government isn’t creative enough in how we plan our public spaces for a warmer climate. There are examples all over the world of solar panels providing shade over parking lots, bike lanes, and more. As our planet gets hotter every year, this is the small, easy stuff we should be baking into every single project anyway.”

So far this year, the District has had 48 days when the temperature was higher than 90 degrees – including a stretch in June and July when it was over 90 degrees for 17 straight days. As just one example of the potential benefits of the bill, the National Program for Playground Safety has found that playgrounds can be some of the hottest outdoor spaces in an urban environment, and when the air temperature is that high, unshaded areas get much hotter. Children are already more at-risk for burns, sunburn, and heat exhaustion than adults.

“We have the solutions in front of us; we just need to use them,” Councilmember Allen said. “In addition to providing much-needed shade, we’re also generating clean energy and potentially using the sale of solar credits to increase the District’s budget. That’s a win-win.”

The bill is co-introduced by Councilmembers Frumin, Lewis George, Nadeau, and Robert White.

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