NC GreenPower Announces 2017 Solar Schools Grant Awardees

MEDIA ALERT

CONTACT:   Katie Lebrato, Marketing Communications Director, klebrato@ncgreenpower.org, 919-857-9026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Download as pdf)

May 12, 2017

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 program is open to all public and private K-12 schools in North Carolina. The NC GreenPower Board of Directors’ review committee met this spring to evaluate applications received earlier this year and make selections for 2017’s pilot program. The five selected schools are:

• Alleghany High School, Alleghany County
• Helena Elementary School, Person County
• Lake Lure Classical Academy, Rutherford County
• Perquimans County Middle School, Perquimans County
• Richmond Early College High School, Richmond County

Now in the third year of the pilot, the staff is optimistic about the future of NC GreenPower Solar Schools. “This year’s response to our Solar Schools program was even greater than in previous years with interest from really excited and enthusiastic schools. We have now given grants to nine schools in North Carolina for solar energy systems and provided curriculum and training to each of those schools.  We are looking forward to working with these five schools this year,” said Vicky McCann, Vice President of NC GreenPower.

The selected schools will have until September 29, 2017 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 2015 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 SECU Foundation’s matching challenge grant will enable each school to increase the system size from 3 kW to a larger 5 kW solar array.  These systems serve as educational tools in the classroom, but also provide an energy impact, likely producing enough renewable energy to power a school’s main office.  The solar array produces 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 nearly 80 years.  The Credit Union also offers a diversified line of financial advisory services including retirement and education planning, tax preparation, insurance, trust and estate planning services, and investments through its partners and affiliated entities.  SECU serves 2.2 million members through 257 branch offices, nearly 1,100 ATMs, 24/7 Member Services via phone 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.  Since 2005, SECU Foundation has made a collective financial commitment of more than $130 million for initiatives to benefit North Carolinians statewide.

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