Solar array donation helps Waco farm grow more sustainably
Waco, TX – Non-profit farmland and sustainable agriculture training organization, World Hunger Relief (http://worldhungerrelief.org/), harvested a new crop of renewable energy with the help of one crucial resource: the sun. The farm celebrated a brand new solar array donated by the Green Mountain Energy™ Sun Club™ today. The solar panels are installed on top of a new pavilion, providing solar energy to the organization’s operations and shade to its patrons. The Sun Club® is a unique program enabling Green Mountain Energy Company’s residential customers and employees, including many in the Waco area, to donate solar power to non-profits like World Hunger Relief.
This solar array was made possible by a $30,000 donation to the farm earlier this spring. The 10-kilowatt solar array covers 760 square feet on the roof of the pavilion. The array is expected to generate 14,200 kilowatt-hours of pollution-free energy and avoid 16,400 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) each year. That’s like not driving 18,200 miles!
“World Hunger Relief is committed to providing education in sustainable agriculture and community development with the goal of alleviating hunger around the world. To operate from a location that uses renewable energy brings our mission full circle,” said Matt Hess, Executive Director of World Hunger Relief. “We are grateful to the Sun Club and all of their members who helped make this solar donation possible.”
The farmland in Waco teaches sustainable agriculture skills. Participants in that program then implement and pass along those teachings to communities in remote and developing nations. The Sun Club solar array will enable the organization to reduce its energy costs, with savings being used toward programs that address world hunger. Information about solar power will be shared during the many school tours and field trips from visiting organizations, educating the organization’s 5,000 annual visitors on the importance of renewable energy and its use at World Hunger Relief.
“The Sun Club is proud to present this renewable energy source to World Hunger Relief to help power their operations, and their mission to encourage sustainability worldwide,” said Tony Napolillo, Sun Club Program Manager, Green Mountain Energy Company. “We’re excited to see how these solar panels benefit the non-profit’s programs and influence the communities it serves.”
This solar donation adds to various other sustainable practices at the farm, including rain water collection, expansive composting methods, and organic agriculture.
In addition to the solar installations, World Hunger Relief is the fourth recipient of the Sun Club Solar Leader Award and new member of the Sun Club Hall of Fame. The Sun Club Hall of Fame is a group of exceptional Sun Club donation recipients who seamlessly incorporate solar power into their initiatives and serve as a role model for organizations looking to adopt more sustainable practices.
Pictures from the event will be added to Green Mountain Energy’s Flickr stream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenmtnenergy/
Nominations Now Open for Green Mountain EnergyTM Sun ClubTM Solar Applicants
Green Mountain EnergyTM Sun ClubTM is now accepting nominations for non-profits interested in receiving solar awards. The Sun Club awards solar energy and related educational information to non-profits interested in reducing their environmental impact, supporting renewable energy and educating their supporters on the importance of sustainability. Encourage a deserving non-profit to apply by August 2, 2013.
World Hunger Relief
World Hunger Relief, Inc. is a non-profit organization committed to the alleviation of hunger around the world committed to equipping individuals to work with communities in developing sustainable farming techniques, motivating individuals and communities to live sustainably and advocate on behalf of the poor, and partnering with local and international sustainable development programs. World Hunger Relief’s philosophy is to live simply, helping those who struggle to meet their basic needs by sharing and investing in others. For more information, visit www.worldhungerrelief.org.
Green Mountain EnergyTM Sun ClubTM
Green Mountain EnergyTM Sun ClubTM is a program where Green Mountain residential customers and employees have the opportunity to give back to deserving non-profit organizations through the promotion of solar power. Since the program’s founding in 2002, the Sun Club has helped install more than 550 kilowatts of solar power, preventing more than 850,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions each year. That’s like planting 100 trees every year. For more information, visit 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. Founded in 1997, the company is a green power pioneer and celebrates more than 15 years delivering on the mission to “change the way power is made.” Green Mountain offers consumers and businesses the choice of cleaner electricity, as well as carbon offsets 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 24.5 billion pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Visit us online at www.GreenMountain.com.
“Participants in that program then implement and pass along those teachings to communities in remote and developing nations.”
I was so happy to read this. Enabling others to utilize alternative energy sources through education and hands-on work is one of the most effective ways to slow climate change and reduce the human race’s dependency on dirty fuel. And assisting a developing community while doing that is even better, especially since those communities will be the first to be effected by climate change. Reading about these types of programs gives me hope. Thanks for this inspiring article.