December events invite community to get crafty and help “flip the switch” on solar energy
San Angelo, TX – The Green Mountain Energy™ Sun Club™ will be hosting a special ceremony on Monday, December 16th at the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts to “flip the switch” on its new solar powered carport. The solar panels atop the free-standing structure produce renewable electricity which ties into the power source for the galleries. The Sun Club® is a unique program enabling Green Mountain Energy Company’s residential customers and employees, including those in the West Texas area, to donate solar power to non-profits like San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts.
This solar project was made possible by a $50,000 donation from the Sun Club to the museum earlier this year. The 16.5-kilowatt solar array covers 1,200 square feet on the top of the shade structure. In addition to providing an additional source of shade, educational information will be installed on the structure about how solar works to spread awareness to visitors.
The museum is located on the Concho River and houses permanent and traveling exhibitions of fine art, including ceramics, Texas art, and sculptures. It plans to repave its parking lot with an environmentally friendly material that will absorb rain water in order to prevent it from running off into the nearby river. The shade structure in the parking lot is outfitted with solar panels from the Sun Club that is estimated to annually generate 25,300 kilowatt-hours of pollution-free energy, helping offset about 5 percent of the museum’s annual usage and avoiding an estimated 29,300 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) each year. That’s like not driving 32,400 miles!
“The Sun Club is proud to support non-profit organizations like the San Angelo Museum of Arts, which not only provides such a beautiful learning and creative space to its community, but is also a steward of the Earth, eager to contribute to the betterment of our planet,” said Tony Napolillo, Sun Club program manager. “We admire the museum’s enthusiasm in using new renewable energy to power its initiatives, and we’re thrilled to be ‘flipping the switch’ on these solar panels!”
To celebrate the installation of this new source of renewable energy for the museum, the San Angelo community is invited to attend Family Day at the museum on Saturday, December 14th. Visitors are welcome to illustrate artwork representing the power of the sun and solar energy and submit their art works to be hung in a gallery in the museum. Selected pieces submitted will be on display during the Sun Club dedication ceremony and eligible for prizes.
In addition to the solar carport installation, San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts is a recipient of theÂÂ 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 exceptionalÂÂ Sun Club donation recipients who seamlessly incorporate solar power into their initiatives and serve as a role model for organizations looking to adopt Earth-friendly practices.
Pictures from the event will be added to Green Mountain Energy’s Flickr stream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenmtnenergy/
San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts
The mission of the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts--through its collections, exhibitions, and programs—is to serve the general public in San Angelo, Texas, and the rural communities of the Concho Valley. SAMFA has been nationally recognized for its dedication to the community, and in a 2004 ceremony at the White House, was presented with the National Museum Service Award. SAMFA is also accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
SAMFA has also set an example in the community in terms of its commitment to the local environment.ÂÂ This is evident in the multiple partnership programs with the Upper Colorado River Authority such as an Art of Nature Camp, held along the Concho River and a 3 year project entitled “Center for Creative Energy” that is also in partnership with the San Angelo ISD and includes three programs focused on the intersection of art and science. SAMFA also hosts an annual Eco Fair event along the river with over 3,000 people in attendance each year, and is a partner in the annual World Water Week events, which includes a river clean-up and water-focused exhibit.
Green Mountain EnergyTM Sun ClubTM
Green Mountain EnergyTM Sun ClubTM is a program empowering Green Mountain residential customers and employees to donate solar power to sustainably minded non-profit organizations.ÂÂ Since the program’s founding in 2002, the Sun Club has helped install more than 600 kilowatts of solar power, which could avoid more than 924,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year. That’s like planting 110 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. 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 24.5 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.
Visit us online atÂÂ www.GreenMountain.com
Follow us atÂÂ facebook.com/greenmountainenergycompany orÂÂ twitter.com/greenmtnenergy
###
