NorthWestern Energy Teams Up with Missoula Non-Profit to Install Largest Solar Electric System in Montana

Downtown Missoula’s newest affordable rental housing opened its doors in February. The Gold Dust Apartments, developed by Missoula-based nonprofit homeWORD http://www.homeword.org/ offers 18 units at affordable prices in a centrally located area within walking distance of downtown attractions and public transit.

Montana Green Power

The Missoula-based architectural firm, MacArthur, Means & Wells http://www.mmwarchitects.com/ which specializes in sustainable planning and alternative building techniques, designed the Gold Dust Apartments. Along with the sixteen-kilowatt solar electric system which will produce more than one third of the electric energy supply for the building, the Gold Dust offers 23 energy-efficient and sustainable features. The solar electric system was designed and installed by Solar Plexus http://www.solarplexus1.com/ of Missoula.

Rooftop garden plots and solar panels contribute to the efficiency and sustainability of the Gold Dust apartments in Missoula. (NCAT photo) The apartment complex features such energy-efficiency and sustainable features such as in-slab radiant concrete floors, high efficiency fluorescent lighting, Energy Star clothes washers and gas-fired clothes dryers, water conserving plumbing fixtures, wheatboard cabinets and recycled materials throughout the property.

The Gold Dust received support from NorthWestern Energy in the form of a grant from the Universal System Benefits Fund for energy upgrades, including the solar electric system, energy efficient lighting, and energy efficient washers and dryers.

For more information on the Gold Dust Apartments, contact Ren Essene: 406-543-3550.