Sustainable Power Company Helps Non-Profits Go Solar

Green Mountain Energy Company, a retail provider of clean energy, is seeking New York-area non-profit organizations interested in hosting and owning a solar energy system in 2012. The company's New York chapter recently launched the Sun Club and invites qualifying New York non-profits to apply for donations to purchase and install solar energy systems on their property. Applications for 2012 donations must be submitted online by November 1, 2011.

The Sun Club is a program in which Green Mountain's customers can choose to support solar energy by contributing an additional $5 on their monthly Con Edison electricity bill. The mission of the Sun Club is to fund, build and promote solar power while assisting non-profit organizations with a socially-responsible focus to reduce their environmental footprints.

The program was launched in 2002 by Green Mountain's Texas chapter. Since then, the company and its customers have made more than 30 donations, installing almost 400 kilowatts (kW) of new solar power on the roofs and campuses of non-profits.

Besides promoting the use of alternative energy, the donations have helped educate the surrounding communities on the importance of this pollution-free resource, and have the combined environmental impact to avoid as much carbon dioxide as over 3.8 million miles not driven, Green Mountain said.

"This is equivalent to recycling more than 1 million pounds of newspapers or 1 million households turning off all of their lights for one day. The Sun Club hopes to soon match the success of its Texas chapter in New York", the company said in a statement.

The Sun Club donates the funds for the organization to purchase the solar facility. The non-profit becomes the owner of the solar installation, the contract and warranty with the installer and manufacturer. The recipient is also responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of it.

"Green Mountain Energy Company's mission is to change the way power is made," said John Holtz, director, Eastern Region, Green Mountain Energy Company. "Each solar energy system we donate through the New York chapter of the Sun Club helps us achieve that mission, give back to the local community and enables our customers to make an even greater difference by further supporting the development of solar power in New York."

The size of the donations depends on the need of the organization, the number of applicants and the available funds collected from members. Past donations have ranged from a few thousand dollars to $140,000. When possible, Green Mountain also takes advantage of grants and rebates available from third parties to maximize donations.

The donations are not just for solar arrays; the Sun Club will also consider applicants looking to install other technology, which uses the power of the sun to generate pollution-free electricity or to heat water.

Image credit: Sun Club