Our solar panels at Trinity are up and doing great! (Images: at RIGHT from our solar panel monitoring portal, Solar Edge, showing environmental impacts of Trinity's array since 2019! ABOVE: Mt. Pleasant Academy of Energy & Sustainability Highschool with their new solar panels)
So now, how can we spread solar further with very little financial support?
Here is a great way to not only increase solar but get our state’s kids involved.
Headquartered in Raleigh, NC GreenPower is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit improving our state’s environment by supporting renewable energy, carbon offset projects and providing grants for solar installations at K-12 schools.
NC GreenPower’s Solar+ Schools program launched in 2015. Every year, they provide grants for solar educational projects for K-12 schools across North Carolina, complete with a weather station, data monitoring, and STEM curriculum from NEED.org (National Energy Education Development) with training for teachers.
(Image above: Impact reports from ncgreenpower.org)
NC GreenPower estimates that there will be funding for up to 9 school grants in 2024. The total number of awards will depend on donations made to the program. NC GreenPower’s grant will pay for all of the project’s construction. Schools should raise $3,500 to cover any future operations and maintenance (O&M) costs.
NC GreenPower is working hard to create positive environmental and economic impacts in North Carolina, but they need our help!
For as little as $4 per month, you can help improve our home state by making a monthly donation through your utility bill. You can also make a credit card donation through their website ncgreenpower.org. Or contribute as little as $1 to their Solar+ Schools fundraising campaign and lay the groundwork for a cleaner, brighter future for our students!
The $4/month can be added to your Duke bill (Duke does not benefit from these donations). For more information, go to https://www.duke-energy.com/Home/Products/Renewable-Energy/NC-GreenPower.
Spread the Green throughout our state while involving our children!
Note from Katie: If you are interested in participating with as little friction as possible, this is a GREAT way to support solar energy in our community! Super Easy! I set it up while formatting this blog post.
Here's what I did...
Clicked the Duke-energy link above.
Clicked "Donate Now"
Clicked "See if I am eligible"
Signed into my Duke account (email & password)
Clicked "Add to my cart"
Clicked on the little cart icon
Clicked "Continue to Checkout"
Clicked "Add to my bill"
This popped up...
I also got a text confirming that $4 would be added to my monthly power bill to support NC GreenPower. SO EASY. Took about 1 minute! Much better than having to remember to donate something for the earth every month :-) Leaves more brain power to figure out more complicated things, like which number plastics are or are not recyclable in Henderson County <sheesh!>.