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CONTACT:
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Katie Lebrato, Marketing Communications Director
NC GreenPower
909 Capability Drive, Suite 2100, Raleigh, NC 27606
klebrato@ncgreenpower.org
919-857-9026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 4, 2016
NC GREENPOWER ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF
SOLAR SCHOOLS PILOT - YEAR TWO!
RALEIGH, NC – NC GreenPower is pleased to announce the North Carolina Utilities Commission
has approved a one year extension of the NC GreenPower Solar Schools pilot program to
support the installation of solar PV at schools, providing clean, green renewable energy in our
state.
The NC GreenPower Solar Schools pilot provides matching funds to North Carolina K-12 schools
who cannot afford solar technology, giving teachers valuable tools to educate students about
renewable energy. The extended pilot will run from January 1– December 31, 2016.
To support the growth of this pilot, NC GreenPower is diverting a portion of its donations to
fund small (3-5 kW) solar PV installations at local schools. The program has developed 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.
For information about the pilot and how to apply, visit http://www.ncgreenpower.org/solarschools-pilot/. To receive notifications about pilot updates, such as when schools are awarded
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grants, sign up to receive emails here: https://www.ncgreenpower.org/solar-schools-pilot-signup-for-email-updates/
The first year of the pilot was launched on April 1, 2015 and was a great success. NC
GreenPower awarded four NC schools with grant funding for an educational solar array and all
schools have completed their fundraising campaigns for their portion of the costs. Partnering
with the State Employees Credit Union (SECU) Foundation for a $10,000 matching challenge
grant, the schools will now be able to install a 5 kW solar PV system. Groundbreaking is
expected in the first quarter of 2016.
The schools awarded in the first year of the pilot are:
 CE Jordan High School, Durham County
 East Columbus High School, Columbus County
 Meadowview Magnet Middle School, Surry County
 New Bern High School, Craven County
Donations may be made to NC GreenPower at any time to support their general fund for school
grants. The pilot also utilizes the NC GreenPower fundraising website, my.NCGreenPower.org,
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.
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
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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.
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 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.
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