California Governor Jerry Brown Visits Marshall Elementary School in Fowler to Sign Bill to Restore Funding for State's Solar Initiative Rebate Program

FOWLER, Calif., Sept. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Jerry Brown and representatives from TerraVerde Renewable Partners (TVRP) visited Marshall Elementary School in Fowler, California on Thursday, September 22, 2011, where the Governor signed SB 585 (Kehoe), legislation that restored funding for the California Solar Initiative Rebate Program, including solar rebates for projects in California School Districts.

TerraVerde Renewable Partners, a leader in overseeing solar projects for school districts, as well as public agencies and non-profits throughout California, worked closely with the Fowler Unified School District to develop a solar installation proposal that is projected to save the District $439,000 in total electricity costs in the first year. These savings will go directly into the District's general fund and are expected to grow over the years as utility rates increase. Over a five year period, savings are estimated to be $2,321,000 and more than $13 million over 25 years. Installation of the solar panels in the area is expected to begin in 2012.

Fowler Unified School District, like many other school districts, local public agencies and non-profit organizations in the state, relies on rebates offered under the California Solar Initiative to finance and develop their solar projects.  In December 2010, PG&E announced that they had run out of funding for these rebates.  Fowler USD joined with TerraVerde Renewable Partners, and a number of other school districts in the Central Valley, members of the solar industry and education communities, to support legislation that would restore funding for these rebates.  

"California schools and the solar industry know that there is support across the political spectrum for programs that implement green energy saving solutions," said Rick Brown, PhD, TerraVerde's President.  "Working together, they were able to gather more than 2/3 votes for Senator Kehoe's important piece of legislation."

In addition to the economic benefits of installing the solar panels, the project will provide reductions in pollutants such as carbon and sulfur dioxide, as well conserving over one million gallons of water a year used in cooling gas fired power plants.  The school district will also use the cost savings as an educational opportunity for students by providing displays with "real time" information about the production of solar electricity from the panels.

TerraVerde Renewable Partners (TVRP) develops solar energy facilities for local and state governments, school districts, non-profits and commercial real estate owners.  TVRP's solar energy systems provide clients with a fairly priced, reliable, long-term inflation-hedged source of "green" energy.  TVRP has worked with dozens of other school districts across the state including the Petaluma City Schools and Sonoma County YMCA.  More information about TerraVerde Renewable Partners can be found at:  http://www.tvrpllc.com/index.php.

TVRP Press Contact:
Rick Brown, (707) 953-2885
[email protected]

SOURCE TerraVerde Renewable Partners