NC GreenPower announces Program Changes
March 10, 2015
Contact: Katie Lebrato, Marketing Communications Director
919-857-9026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RALEIGH, NC – Following a two-year strategic planning process, NC GreenPower is pleased to announce the North Carolina Utilities Commission has approved two pilot programs to support the installation of solar PV at schools, non-profits and communities, providing clean, green renewable energy in North Carolina.
The NC GreenPower Board of Directors developed these two pilot programs to support solar PV projects that benefit the overall local community. NC GreenPower is targeting April 2015 to launch the pilots.
The NC GreenPower Solar Schools pilot will provide matching funds to North Carolina K-12 schools who cannot afford solar technology, giving teachers valuable tools to educate students about renewable energy. The second pilot will allow investors and communities to crowd-source funds through NC GreenPower to support larger solar PV projects at schools, non-profits and community centers.
For the NC GreenPower Solar Schools pilot, NC GreenPower will divert a portion of its donations to fund small (2-3 kW) solar PV installations at local schools. The program will develop 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.
The second initiative is the Investor and Crowd-Source Funded Renewable Energy pilot and involves a partnership between NC GreenPower and a third party who will recruit investors to fund the purchase and installation of a renewable energy system. NC GreenPower will assist the community, school or non-profit with raising additional funds to pay for the Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) generated from the larger (~50 kW) solar PV system.
Both pilots will utilize the NC GreenPower fundraising website, my.NCGreenPower.org. My NC GreenPower is 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.
Vicky McCann, Vice President of NC GreenPower, views this opportunity as a turning point for the organization:
“The hope is that these pilots will serve as a transition for what may ultimately become a sustainable organization. The new NC GreenPower would operate as a community-based program that supports renewable energy projects for schools, non-profits and other organizations that cannot take advantage of tax credits and would otherwise not be able to afford cleaner, greener energy initiatives.”
For more information regarding updates about the pilots, how to apply and future notifications about schools who are awarded grants, visit their website here: https://ncgp.wpengine.com/solar-schools-pilot-sign-up-for-email-updates/
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.