Wells Fargo Center for the Arts Prepares to Go Green with Large-Scale Solar Project

SANTA ROSA, Calif., Oct. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Wells Fargo Center for the Arts and Nelson Solar Projects, LLC today announced plans for a large-scale solar project on-site at the non-profit Arts Center in Santa Rosa, CA. The 400-kilowatt system with 1,630 solar panels will generate 90% of the Center's power needs and be one of the largest renewable power systems to date among performing arts centers nationwide.

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"We are proud and grateful for this agreement, which will allow the Center to be more sustainable as a non-profit organization," said the Center's Executive Director Rick Nowlin. "We'll be able to contribute to a cleaner environment and dedicate more resources to our mission oriented programs, such as music, dance and theater presentations; placing artists into classrooms; and providing instruments to students."

"We're honored to be able to provide this organization with a tangible way to reduce operating costs," said Gary Nelson, Founder of Nelson Family of Companies and President of Nelson Solar Projects, LLC. "As longtime supporters of the Arts Center, we believe strongly in the work that the Center does, especially its programs for children."

The initiative is made possible through a 10-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in which Nelson Solar Projects, LLC will provide capital financing and installation of the canopy-mounted photovoltaic system to be installed on four rows of sunshade carport structures. The Arts Center will fully own the solar system at the end of the PPA and will realize significant savings on energy costs beginning in 2023.

"This is an exciting example of a business leader stepping up in a creative way to support a non-profit that brings so much to our quality of life in Sonoma County," said Greg Steele, a member of the Center's Honorary Board of Directors who led the initiative.

Wells Fargo Center for the Arts is celebrating its 31^st season of presenting world-class performances, events and arts education programs in Sonoma County, CA.

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SOURCE Wells Fargo Center for the Arts