WASHINGTON — As schools and parks across the United States rip up playgrounds, a D.C. councilmember said he wants to save a childhood fixture that has become dangerously hot using solar panels.
The Solar Shade Expansion Amendment Act, introduced by Ward 6 Councilman Charles Allen, would place solar panels and solar shade canopies in 20 locations across D.C.
"The goal is to provide shade, reduce heat exposure and provide clean energy to our power grid all at once," Councilman Allen's office said Thursday.
These playground heat issues can be worse in Northeast D.C. neighborhoods like Kingman Park, which Councilman Allen represents, where there are fewer trees and fewer green spaces, according to a report from The Washington Post. In these neighborhoods, known as "heat islands," playgrounds often absorb heat instead of reflecting it, leading to advocacy groups pushing for shady solutions.
In essence, the solar panel project would use this technology as a substitute for the lack of trees and green spaces in these neighborhoods.
Already, the Ludlow-Taylor Elementary School in Northeast has implemented this type of solution, installing 234 kilowatts of solar panels on the school roof and a new playground canopy as part of the District's Solar for All initiative. Allen's bill would expand this effort.
"As a parent, I've seen how our playgrounds can be unusable because of the heat," Councilman Allen said on Friday. "And even if our days weren't getting hotter, parents across the city would love to have more shade at all our playgrounds and public spaces."
At-Large Councilman Robert White, Ward 1 Councilwoman Brianne Nadeau, Ward 3 Councilman Matthew Frumin, and Ward 4 Councilwoman Janeese Lewis George have all cosponsored Councilman Allen's bill.
"This is one problem where throwing a little shade would be a good thing," Councilman Allen joked.
