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Alexandria proposes solar panels for Durant Center roof

By James Cullum
Proposed addition of solar photovoltaic panels to the roof of the Oswald Durant Center at 1605 Cameron Street in Old Town (via City of Alexandria)

A proposal to add solar and photovoltaic panels to the Oswald Durant Center in Old Town is heading to the Board of Architectural Review next month.

The city’s proposal would replace the roof and add the panels to both the sloped and flat roof portions of the building at 1605 Cameron Street. The Durant Center is used as a recreation and private event facility for the city.

“The sloped roofs are only visible from the east and west directions, and all of that property is owned by the city,” according to the proposal.

Proposed addition of solar photovoltaic panels to the roof of the Oswald Durant Center at 1605 Cameron Street in Old Town (via City of Alexandria)

City residents also have until the end of the year to take advantage of a 30% federal tax credit to install solar panels on their homes.

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.