Project MORE Announces Solar Installation

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Estella Zavala or Jennea Moore, 225-6437 
Posted on: April 28, 2005

Project MORE Alternative Education High School, Tucson Electric Power, and the Arizona Energy Office will celebrate the largest school solar power installation in southern Arizona with a brief dedication ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, April 29 at Project MORE, 440 S. Park.

The new 10 kilowatt grid-tied photovoltaic system at Project MORE is part of the Tucson Solar Schools Project, a collaboration between TUSD, TEP, the Greater Tucson Coalition for Solar Energy, the Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Office, the Foundation for Environmental Education, and the United States Department of Energy.

The system's design, equipment and installation is worth approximately $70,000 and was provided at no cost to TUSD through TEP's SunShare Program, the Arizona Corporation Commission's Environmental Portfolio Standard, and DOE grant funding. Project MORE will generate approximately $2,500 per year in electrical savings and utilize real-time solar and weather data in its science and math curriculum.

Roger Pfeuffer, TUSD Superintendent; Betsy Bolding, TEP Director of Consumer Affairs; and Ken Clark, Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Office Director will activate the new system and comment on this successful public/private partnership. The event will also include a singing performance by Project MORE students and optional tours of the rooftop installation and online data output.

Four additional TUSD schools will be selected for smaller solar photovoltaic system installations over the next nine months. Participating schools will also receive targeted energy-efficiency retrofits and teachers will integrate energy education into the curriculum to improve student performance.

The project is part of TEP's Community Solar Program, funded by GreenWatts customers. Details of the Community Program can be found on www.greenwatts.com.

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