Salt River Project is inviting qualifying Valley nonprofit organizations to apply for the chance to receive a solar system providing renewable energy and covered parking provided by the SRP Solar for Nonprofits program. The application period is currently open and goes through Aug. 14.
The Solar for Nonprofits program is funded by customers who contribute as little as $3 a month to the SRP Solar for Nonprofits program. Those who contribute are giving to a cause that helps reduce local carbon emissions and helps nonprofits save on energy needed to run their business operations.
Since 2007, the program has awarded 53 solar systems to deserving Valley-based nonprofit organizations which SRP works to install. Collectively, the program has helped nonprofits save more than $1 million by providing renewable, emission-free energy for their buildings which powers a substantial portion of their operations.
"The solar systems SRP Solar for Nonprofits installs help offset energy costs for nonprofits, which allows these organizations to focus more on their community-oriented objectives," said Darrell Bearden, manager of distributed energy programs at SRP. "These systems also increase the amount of renewable energy on SRP’s power system, contributing to our overall carbon reduction goals."
Adding more renewable resources to the community and the state of Arizona is a major objective for SRP, which is committed to expanding its utility-scale solar resources to 2,025 megawatts (MW) by the year 2025, and adding 450 MW of battery storage by 2023, one of the largest battery storage commitments in the Western U.S.
The 2022 recipients will be announced and notified by mid-September and will each receive a free solar energy system complete with installation, and two years of free solar system maintenance from SRP.
To qualify, nonprofit applicants must be designated 501(c)(3) organizations, have their headquarters based within SRP’s electric service territory, and have available parking space for the system to be installed. The program covers the full expense of the solar system including the construction of a canopy if needed. These solar-covered parking systems provide energy for business operations and shade for parked vehicles in business parking lots. Additional eligibility requirements, as well instructions on how to request and submit an application form, can be found on the SRP Solar for Nonprofits website, srpnet.com/solarnonprofit-
