NC GreenPower announces selections for Solar Schools pilot
September 2, 2015
Contact: Katie Lebrato, Marketing Communications Director
919-857-9026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RALEIGH, NC – NC GreenPower launched a pilot program on April 1, 2015 to provide matching grants for the installation of a solar PV array at schools, providing clean, green renewable energy in North Carolina. The State Employees Credit Union (SECU) Foundation is partnering to provide a matching challenge grant to increase the solar PV systems from 3 kW to 5 kW. All K-12 schools were encouraged to apply and the positive response received was an indication of strong interest in the program.
“We weren’t sure what to expect for our first year, but we were very pleased with the number of applicants and the geographic, economic and grade level diversity of the schools who applied,” said Vicky McCann, Vice President of NC GreenPower.
The NC GreenPower Board of Directors created a review committee that met over the summer to evaluate applications and make selections for the pilot. Three of the four selected schools are:
- East Columbus High School, Columbus County Schools
- Meadowview Magnet Middle School, Surry County Schools
- New Bern High School, Craven County Schools
A fourth school will be announced at a later date. The pilot schools will have until October 30, 2015 to raise their matching funds and 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. Donations as little as $1 can be made to support any campaign. For updates about the pilot, visit their website here: www.ncgreenpower.org/solar-schools-pilot/
NC GreenPower is also pleased to announce that the State Employees’ Credit Union members via the SECU Foundation are teaming up to help expand the Solar Schools pilot. Over the next two years, SECU Foundation will provide a total investment of up to $140,000, awarding a $10,000 matching challenge grant to 14 K-12 public schools that meet NC GreenPower’s program requirements for the installation of a pole-mounted solar PV system on school campuses. The Foundation’s matching challenge grant will help qualify each school for a 5 kW solar array system, which will offer an educational tool in the classroom, as well as an energy impact that will likely produce enough renewable energy to power a school’s main office. The impact saves an estimated 6,570 kilowatt hours with a potential cost savings of $657 annually. (Full SECU press release here)
About NC GreenPower
With the mission of improving the quality of the environment in North Carolina, the nonprofit NC GreenPower was founded in 2003 as a statewide program. NC GreenPower helps to connect consumers with renewable energy and carbon offset providers to create positive environmental and economic impacts for our state. All projects supported by the program are located in North Carolina. In 2015, NC GreenPower launched a new pilot to support solar PV installations at K-12 schools. Contributions to NC GreenPower are tax-deductible. For more information, visit: www.ncgreenpower.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 501(c)(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.