Dallas Academy Flips Switch on Solar Array the Size of Football Field
Dallas, TX (PRWEB) November 14, 2014 -- The future is bright for Dallas Academy and its students as they officially flip the switch on a brand new solar array, funded in part by the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club®. The school’s roof is now covered in 289 solar panels that are expected to produce 118,280 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy annually, which is like the amount of electricity 10 households use in a year. Dallas Academy’s solar installation is one of the largest arrays on any private school in the state and will include educational information about how solar works to teach the next generation about the benefits of renewable energy.
The Sun Club’s $30,000 donation to Dallas Academy sparked a larger campaign by the school, which contributed an additional $120,000 from the community to increase the size of the solar array. The completed array fills 5,100 square feet on the roof, a little bit larger than a regulation football field without the end zones, and avoids 79 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually – the same as taking 15 cars off of Central Expressway every year.
“When we first applied for a Sun Club donation last year, covering our roof in solar was just a dream. Seeing that dream become a reality has been incredibly rewarding,” said Jim Richardson, Headmaster, Dallas Academy. “This is a milestone for Dallas Academy and a giant step forward in reaching our sustainability goals, and none of it would have been possible without the enormous support and passion of our students, parents, faculty and the community.”
The Sun Club accepts applications from non-profit organizations all year and chose Dallas Academy for a solar grant based on the school’s commitment to operating sustainably and supporting students with learning differences. Contributions to the Sun Club come from Green Mountain Energy Company’s residential customers and employees and have helped the program donate more than $1 million to solar projects in the Dallas area since its founding in 2002.
“The Sun Club has been on a mission to fund solar power for non-profit organizations since 2002, and we’re thrilled to see Dallas Academy flip the switch on this massive solar array,” said Tony Napolillo, program manager of the Sun Club. “The community truly loves and supports this school, and it’s exciting to see that support come to life in the form of renewable energy technology that will benefit the organization and its students for decades to come.”
The 73 kilowatt solar array will be dedicated to the school in a special ceremony during Dallas Academy’s 6th Annual DAwg Run 5K and 1-mile fun run on Saturday, November 15th. To attend the dedication ceremony or register for the event, visit the Dallas Academy website.
Dallas Academy
Founded in 1965, Dallas Academy is a private school on the shores of White Rock Lake in Lake Highlands. Dallas Academy’s mission is to restore the promise of full academic enrichment to students with learning differences. A meaningful connection with each student is established to overcome barriers to success. Dallas Academy offers students and parents the best of both worlds by providing an effective program and strategies to meet the special educational needs of bright students with learning differences, while including the activities of a larger, more traditional school. Learn more at http://www.dallas-academy.com.
Green Mountain Energy Sun Club®
Green Mountain Energy Sun Club® is a unique program that donates solar power to sustainably-minded non-profit organizations using contributions from Green Mountain Energy Company’s residential customers and employees. Since the program’s founding in 2002, the Sun Club has donated more than $3 million to help install over 700 kilowatts of solar power, which has the potential to avoid more than 1.2 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year. That’s like planting 145 trees every year.
For more information or to contribute to the Sun Club, visit http://www.gmsunclub.com.
Green Mountain Energy Company
Green Mountain is the nation’s longest serving renewable energy retailer and believes in using wind, sun and water for good. The company was founded in 1997 with the mission to “change the way power is made.” Green Mountain offers consumers and businesses the choice of cleaner electricity products from renewable sources, as well as a variety of carbon offset products and sustainable solutions for businesses. One of Green Mountain’s largest customers is the “world’s most famous office building,” the Empire State Building in New York City. Green Mountain customers have collectively helped avoid more than 30.6 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.
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Katie Ryan, Green Mountain Energy Company, http://www.greenmountainenergy.com/, +1 (512) 691-6308, [email protected]
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