NC GreenPower Announces Launch of Solar Schools Pilot – Year Two!

January 4, 2016

Contact: Katie Lebrato, Marketing Communications Director
919-857-9026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RALEIGH, NC – NC GreenPower is pleased to announce the North Carolina Utilities Commission has approved a one year extension of the NC GreenPower Solar Schools pilot program to support the installation of solar PV at schools, providing clean, green renewable energy in our state.

The NC GreenPower Solar Schools pilot provides matching funds to North Carolina K-12 schools who cannot afford solar technology, giving teachers valuable tools to educate students about renewable energy. The extended pilot will run from January 1– December 31, 2016.

To support the growth of this pilot, NC GreenPower is diverting a portion of its donations to fund small (3-5 kW) solar PV installations at local schools. The program has developed an application process where any K-12 school in North Carolina may apply to receive a 50% matching grant, up to $10,000, and NC GreenPower will assist the school with raising the balance of funds required.  As part of the pilot, NC GreenPower will also provide monitoring equipment and develop curriculum and lesson plans for educators to use along with the solar PV installation across a variety of subjects, providing a hands-on experience for their students.

For information about the pilot and how to apply, visit https://ncgp.wpengine.com/solar-schools/.  To receive notifications about pilot updates, such as when schools are awarded grants, sign up to receive emails here: https://ncgp.wpengine.com/solar-schools-pilot-sign-up-for-email-updates/

The first year of the pilot was launched on April 1, 2015 and was a great success. NC GreenPower awarded four NC schools with grant funding for an educational solar array and all schools have completed their fundraising campaigns for their portion of the costs. Partnering with the State Employees Credit Union (SECU) Foundation for a $10,000 matching challenge grant, the schools will now be able to install a 5 kW solar PV system. Groundbreaking is expected in the first quarter of 2016.

The schools awarded in the first year of the pilot are:

Donations may be made to NC GreenPower at any time to support their general fund for school grants. The pilot also utilizes the NC GreenPower fundraising website, my.NCGreenPower.org, an online community for advocates of a cleaner, greener environment in North Carolina to join together for fundraising. Individuals and groups can create a profile page and launch campaigns, raising money to fund renewable energy and carbon offset generators across our state. Generators for the program can set up profiles with photos of their project and also help raise donations for NC GreenPower.

To support NC GreenPower, donations can be made for as little as $4 a month to either renewable energy or carbon offsets. More information on the program can be found under their NCUC Docket E-100 Sub 90. The full program plan proposal can be found at this link and the approval documents can be found here: Order Approving Two Pilot Programs.

About NC GreenPower

Launched in 2003, NC GreenPower is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that administers the voluntary program on behalf of all utilities in North Carolina, helping to connect consumers with green energy and carbon offset providers to create positive environmental and economic impacts for our state.  All renewable energy and carbon offset generators supported by the program are located in North Carolina. Contributions to the program are tax-deductible.

Since the launch of the program in October 2003, NC GreenPower has supported more than 950 renewable energy projects in nearly every county across our state.  These projects have produced 560 billion kilowatt-hours of green power to the N.C. electric grid and donors have provided nearly $5.5 million in incentive payments to generators.  That’s the equivalent of supporting 39,000 homes with power for a year. Carbon offset projects have mitigated 28,500 tons of greenhouse gases – equivalent to the emissions from driving 79 million miles. For more information, visit their website: www.ncgreenpower.org

NC GreenPower was formed by Advanced Energy, a Raleigh-based nonprofit committed to a future in which energy needs are met at reasonable costs and with the least negative consequences. The organization continues to work collaboratively to demonstrate that industry, government and nonprofits can successfully work together to improve the environment and encourage the economy. For more than 30 years, Advanced Energy has created economic, environmental and societal benefits through innovative and market-based approaches to energy issues. For more information, visit www.advancedenergy.org.

About SECU and the SECU Foundation

A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, SECU has been providing employees of the State of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for 78 years.  The Credit Union also offers a diversified line of financial advisory services including retirement and education planning, tax preparation, insurance, trusts, estate planning and investments through its partners and affiliated entities.  SECU serves 2 million members through 254 branch offices, over 1,100 ATMs, 24/7 Contact Centers and a website, www.ncsecu.org.  The SECU Foundation, a 501c (3) charitable organization funded solely by the contributions of SECU members, promotes local community development in North Carolina primarily through high impact projects in the areas of housing, education, healthcare and human services.