New solar panels provide renewable energy to theater, benefit Oak Cliff Foundation
Dallas, TX – The silver screen at the Texas Theatre will have a golden hue thanks to the theater’s brand new solar panels, funded by the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club®. The historic theater was awarded a solar grant after the Theatre’s non-profit owner, the Oak Cliff Foundation, applied and was selected for a $30,000 donation from the Sun Club. Texas Theatre’s solar installation is a unique addition to the venue’s rich history as a Texas landmark, and will help power the theater’s new screening technologies by adding more digital capability alongside its celluloid projection.
The completed 4-kilowatt array is expected to produce 5,627 kilowatt-hours of electricity every year, which is about the same as screening Gone with the Wind continuously for about seven months. Educational videos created by Green Mountain Energy Company about how solar energy works will play before theater screenings so that patrons can learn more about the rooftop solar array.
“This has truly been an exciting process for the Oak Cliff Foundation as we strive to bring the Texas Theatre up to speed with modern technologies and renewable energy to create a sustainable platform well into the future,” said Will Adams, President of the Oak Cliff Foundation. “We’re excited to see how this solar donation from the Sun Club helps kick off new sustainability initiatives at the Theatre and inspires the Oak Cliff neighborhood.”
Since the Sun Club’s founding in 2002, the program has donated more than $1 million to solar projects in the Dallas area, and the solar installation at Texas Theatre marks the 75th project donated by the program. Contributions to the Sun Club come from Green Mountain Energy Company’s residential customers, employees and supporters who believe in the program’s mission to support local non-profit organizations through solar power.
“Every non-profit the Sun Club works with is unique, and every solar installation is different. This array at Texas Theatre is particularly important because of its history and role in the community,” said Tony Napolillo, program manager of the Sun Club. “We haven’t worked with many historic buildings in the past, so we were thrilled to watch an innovative renewable energy technology shed new light on this local landmark. I couldn’t think of a better organization with which to celebrate our 75th solar project.”
“Constructed in 1931, we’re constantly looking for ways to keep the Texas Theatre an up-to-date, relevant cultural hub for the community, while preserving its historic aspects,” said Barak Epstein, Aviation Cinemas Inc., operator of the Texas Theatre. “Solar power is a great fit for our efforts and our green theater initiative which includes bike riding box office discounts, compostable popcorn bags, non-GMO popcorn, and commercial recycling. We look forward to adding renewable energy to that list, and we applaud Green Mountain Energy’s ongoing efforts to make a difference here in Oak Cliff.”
Texas Theatre purchases 100% renewable electricity from Green Mountain. Through Green Mountain’s Renewable Rewards® buyback plan, the theater receives a bill credit for 100% of the solar panels’ outflow to the electric grid and supplements the rest of its electricity usage with 100% wind energy.
Texas Theatre
The Texas Theatre is an art house and repertory cinema, bar, and event space in the heart of North Oak Cliff. Most famous for the apprehension of Lee Harvey Oswald in its auditorium following the murders of Officer Tippet and President Kennedy in 1963, the theatre has served area patrons since 1931. The Texas has many firsts to its name: the first theatre in Dallas built for talking pictures, the first with air conditioning, the first with an interior box office, and now the first cinema with a solar array.
Show times and information can be found at thetexastheatre.com.
Oak Cliff Foundation
The Oak Cliff Foundation was founded in 1973 as the philanthropic arm of the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce. Our mission remains to improve life in Oak Cliff through the creation of a culture of philanthropy and volunteerism. The vision of the foundation is to assist budding volunteer organizations get off the ground, and to be a resource to existing groups focused on bettering Oak Cliff.
In 2001, the foundation took a big step to improve life in Oak Cliff by purchasing the historic Texas Theatre on Jefferson Boulevard. This purchase, combined with the mission of the foundation, will become the heart of Jefferson Boulevard and an inspiring source of energy and beautification of the surrounding community.
For more information or to contribute to the Oak Cliff Foundation, visit www.oakclifffoundation.org.
Green Mountain Energy Sun Club®
Green Mountain Energy Sun Club® is a unique program that donates solar power to sustainably-minded non-profit organizations using contributions from Green Mountain Energy Company’s residential customers and employees. Since the program’s founding in 2002, the Sun Club has donated more than $3 million to help install over 700 kilowatts of solar power, which has the potential to avoid more than 1.2 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year. That’s like planting 145 trees every year.
For more information or to contribute to the Sun Club, 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 30.6 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.
Follow us at facebook.com/greenmountainenergycompany or twitter.com/greenmtnenergy
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