Community solar projects funded through EarthWise Energy
To date, these projects have collectively reduced 791,460 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Sunshine Acres Children's Home, Mesa
- Generates 15,000 kWh
- Built 2010
Sunshine Acres received a 10 kilowatt (kW) PV system on the roof of the dining hall. As well, a Campbell Scientific Data Acquisition System (DAS) has been provided to allow for monitoring of the PV system performance and allows Sunshine Acres to incorporate this data into the academic curriculum provided by the home.
Habitat for Humanity (Ironwood Trails Community), Apache Junction
- Generates 4,800 kWh
- Built 2009
Habitat for Humanity has built more than 350,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1.75 million people in 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter. SRP installed 3.3 kW solar power systems on the 18 homes in Habitat for Humanity's Ironwood Trails Community in Apache Junction. This subdivision is the first LEED certified, all-solar Habitat for Humanity community in the nation. Each home's estimated energy production is 4,800 kWh per year reducing the homeowners' monthly energy bills by 30-50%. The community is estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 45 metric tons per year. In addition, all 18 homes were also equipped with solar water heaters.
Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center, Phoenix
- Generates 41,800 kWh
- Built 2009
The Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center is a nature center in the heart of the City of Phoenix's Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area, a 600-acre park along the historic Salt River. They received a 26.4 kW PV array which is mounted on the roof of the center with the solar panels artistically cantilevered over the walkway to provide shade. The solar modules are segmented into two arrays and together cover a surface area of 2,086 square feet. Power from the PV system covers about 20% of the building's usage.
YMCA, Maryvale
- Generates 18,000 kWh
- Built 2008
The goal of the YMCA to be the premier partner of choice for solving community problems. The Maryvale YMCA received a 12 kW PV array consisting of 72 panels covering 988 square feet of the roof of the gymnasium.
Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix
- Generates 18,000 kWh
- Built 2007
Since 1939, the Desert Botanical Garden (DBG)has been home to one of the finest and most diverse collections of succulent plants, including rare, threatened and endangered species from around the Southwest. The DBG received a 10 kilowatt PV array consisting of 72 PV modules covering 988 square feet of the roof of Dorrance Hall. This modern, 4,600 square foot reception hall is widely used by the public and can accommodate 150-300 people for an indoor ceremony, cocktail hour, sit down lunch, dinner or meeting.
Phoenix Zoo, Phoenix
- Generates 18,000 kWh
- Built 2007
The Zoo received a 10 kilowatt PV array consisting of 56 PV modules covering 982 square feet of the Native Species Recovery Center. The 2,500-square-foot Center serves as the headquarters for the Phoenix Zoo's numerous regional and international efforts on behalf of threatened and endangered species and directly supports the conservation efforts of species native to the Southwest as well as endangered species conservation programs for animals from around the world.
