PRESS RELEASES
The Sonoma County Family YMCA,
TerraVerde Renewable Partners
and SolarCity
Announce Completion of 273 Kilowatt Installation
Carport-mounted system is expected to offset 85 percent
of the Sonoma County Family YMCA’s power usage
SANTA ROSA, Calif., March 11, 2011— The Sonoma County Family YMCA, TerraVerde Renewable Partners (TVRP) and SolarCity®, today announced the completion of a 273-kilowatt solar installation that will help power the facility and act as a protective carport in its parking lot. The system is expected to save the Sonoma County Family YMCA $250,000 in electricity costs over the initial 15 years of the power purchase agreement (PPA). The carport mounted system, which is expected to offset 85 percent of the Sonoma County Family YMCA’s power usage, is one of the largest in the North Bay.
The Sonoma County Family YMCA worked with TVRP, a company that develops solar energy facilities for local and state governments, school districts, non-profits and commercial real estate owners, to evaluate the value of a potential solar photovoltaic (PV) investment for their Santa Rosa property. SolarCity was selected for its sleek, efficient carport design and low-cost financing option, which allows the YMCA to go solar for zero down and only pay for the power it produces and uses.
“We were looking for a way to reduce our carbon footprint while cutting down on electricity cost,” said Sonoma County Family YMCA President and CEO, David Brown. “One of the challenges was finding a partner that would take into consideration our limited budget and space constraints. SolarCity’s approach to our project was exactly what we were looking for and made it a natural fit.”
SolarCity engineered a carport design that would preserve all the parking spaces, and provide shaded parking to members and efficient lighting in the facility. In its first year of production, the system’s 1,162 panels are expected to offset 219,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, a leading cause of global climate change. SolarCity will monitor and maintain the system, allowing the Sonoma County Family YMCA to focus on its members’ needs.
About the Sonoma County Family YMCA
The YMCA is a human services organization that receives no government funding; it relies on membership fees, program fees, and your generous donations to operate. Policies are made by a volunteer board of directors comprised of members of the community, and our facility is staffed by a trained, dedicated group of employees. Our goal is for our fees to be affordable to all. Those unable to pay can participate at a reduced level upon qualification. Our doors are open to all; we do not discriminate.
About TerraVerde Renewable Partners
TerraVerde Renewable Partners (TVRP) develops solar energy facilities for local and state governments, school districts, non-profits and commercial real estate owners. Our solar energy systems provide our clients a fairly priced, reliable, long-term inflation-hedged source of "green" energy.
About SolarCity
SolarCity®—a national leader in solar power design, financing, installation, monitoring and energy efficiency services—was founded with the mission to help millions of homeowners and businesses adopt clean power, protect themselves from rising gas and electricity costs and protect their environment from polluting power sources. The company’s SolarLease® and Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) options can make it possible for homeowners and businesses to switch to clean, solar power for less money than they currently pay for electricity. SolarCity’s 21 operations centers serve Arizona, California, Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington, D.C. Additional information about the company is available on the Web at www.solarcity.com.
Media Contacts |
Nina Oestlien |
David Brown |
Rick Brown |
Many large companies have Matching Gifts Programs that will double your personal gift or give a sum (often $500) to employees and retirees who give volunteer time (usually 20 -40 hours) to an educational or non-profit organization. Check your company's Website or call Michelle Head at 545-9622, ext. 3120 if you are an employee or a retiree from one of these companies and need assistance in processing required paperwork.
Even if you are not employed by a company that offers matching gift opportunities, you may know someone -- a relative, neighbor of friend who does. The Y serves children and adults of all ages with more than 27 sites throughout Sonoma County. Let your contacts know that their personal and matching corporate gift will be well invested.
Every year the Y receives a $500 gift from State Farm Insurance Company to match volunteer hours given by retireee Ken Prouty, who serves on the Y Board of Directors and helps out at Y activities and events.
Companies who have this program include,
Exxon Mobile
exxonmobil@easymatch.com or www.easymatch.com/exxonmobil,
State Farm http://www.statefarm.com/about/retirees/comm_involvement.asp,
Medtronics
http://www.medtronic.com/foundation/community-employee-volunteer.htm
and National Semiconductor http://www.national.com/JS/searchDocument.do?textfield=employee+matching+gifts&x=33&y=14
Sonoma County Family YMCA - 1111 College Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95404 (707) 545-9622
501c3 not-for-profit charitable organization.
Financial assistance is offered on a sliding scale providing access to those unable to pay.
Copyright © 2010 SCFYMCA, All Rights Reserved | Site created by: P&H Creative Group