Borrego Solar's Solar Financing, Design and Installation Expertise Included in "The Green Schools Investment Guide"

SAN DIEGO, May 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Borrego Solar Systems, Inc., a leading designer, installer and financier of grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, today announced its solar expertise contribution to "The Green Schools Investment Guide," a free resource guide available to K-12 schools that demonstrates how schools can implement healthy and resource-efficient building improvements. Development of the guide was led by the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Architecture for Humanity.

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The 70-page, action-oriented resource guide demonstrates how investments in America's school buildings can improve student and staff well-being and academic performance, conserve scarce resources and foster thriving and sustainable communities. Borrego Solar provided its expertise in a variety of categories around solar PV installations, including available government rebates and incentives, design considerations and financing options.

"We are proud of the wide breadth of clean technology and energy efficiency areas covered in our resource guide," said Kate Stohr, managing director at Architecture for Humanity. "Solar energy has proven to be an impactful tool for K-12 school districts looking to implement energy efficiency and building improvements at their facilities. Borrego Solar's help was extremely valuable, as it was able to contribute ideas and offer expertise because of its direct experience working with schools."

Borrego Solar has long been a trusted partner to education institutions looking to leverage solar energy, offering solar financing, design and installation services. Through the company's power purchase agreement (PPA) offering, schools can go solar at no upfront cost. Per the contract, a school enters into an agreement to buy clean energy from Borrego Solar at a predetermined and economical rate, while Borrego Solar absorbs all the costs of design, construction, operation and maintenance of a solar PV energy system.

"We've worked with K-12 schools for years throughout the U.S. to deploy multiple megawatts of clean energy, saving them money and reducing their environmental impact," said Mike Hall, CEO of Borrego Solar. "We're honored to be part of this resource guide, which is an important tool for schools as they seek to improve their facilities and infrastructure in a cost-effective and responsible manner. With this guide, more schools will be better equipped to evaluate and execute on clean energy and energy efficiency projects."

Borrego Solar's financing services have proven to be a popular option for schools that wish to go solar, but do not have the upfront financing to do so. Since the beginning of 2012, Borrego Solar has installed a total of 5.8 megawatts (MW) of solar energy for schools across the U.S. and has 18.8 MW of school solar projects currently in production. K-12 school districts that have recently gone solar through Borrego Solar's services include Bonsall Unified School District and Santa Clara Unified School District in California, and Plymouth Public Schools in Massachusetts.

"At Plymouth, we've taken a number of initiatives to drive cleaner energy at our schools, and partnering with Borrego Solar was one of the most important decisions we made to achieve our goals," said Dr. Gary Maestas, Ed.D., superintendent of schools at Plymouth Public Schools. "It's important for schools to have access to all the right information, so on top of partnering with trustworthy contractors and experts, this guide is a great idea for schools looking to learn about what resources are available."

In order to further help schools understand solar PV energy, Borrego Solar provides additional tools such as its state-approved solar curriculum. Visit this link for a complimentary download of Borrego Solar's solar curriculum for schools.

About Borrego Solar
Established in 1980, Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. is one of the nation's leading financiers, designers and installers of commercial and utility solar power systems. Borrego Solar's photovoltaic systems are efficient, reliable and cost-effective. With more than three decades of experience and more than 1,000 solar power installations completed—totaling more than 70 MW—Borrego Solar offers a complete line of solar systems design and installation services throughout the country. For more information, visit www.borregosolar.com.

About Architecture for Humanity
Architecture for Humanity is a nonprofit design services firm founded in 1999. We are building a more sustainable future through the power of professional design. By tapping a network of more than 75,000 professionals willing to lend time and expertise to help those who would not otherwise be able to afford their services, we bring design, construction and development services where they are most critically needed.  For more information, visit www.architectureforhumanity.org or find us on Twitter at @archforhumanity and Facebook at www.facebook.com/architectureforhumanity.

Contact:

Tania Ku
Schwartz MSL
(415) 512-0770
[email protected]

SOURCE Borrego Solar Systems, Inc.