NC GreenPower announces Solar Schools selections (pilot year two)

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May 13, 2016

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. All K-12 schools were encouraged to apply and the positive response received was an indication of strong interest in the program. The NC GreenPower Board of Directors’ review committee met this spring to evaluate applications and make selections for the second year of the pilot. The five selected schools are:

Now in year two of the pilot program, the staff is optimistic about the future of NC GreenPower Solar Schools. “We have been very pleased with the 2015 year schools’ involvement in fundraising and their plans for curriculum integration. We are really excited to see our first solar PV systems installed,” said Vicky McCann, Vice President of NC GreenPower.

The selected schools will have until September 30, 2016 to raise their matching funds and will utilize the NC GreenPower fundraising website, my.NCGreenPower.org. My.NCGreenPower is an online community for advocates of a cleaner, greener environment 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/

NC GreenPower is also pleased to announce that the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) members via the SECU Foundation are teaming up to help expand the Solar Schools pilot.  From 2016 to 2017, 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.

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.