Center hosts Flip the Switch solar dedication ceremony

Lacawac Sanctuary is taking another step toward sustainability by installing a solar array on the roof of its environmental education center building.

The Flip the Switch dedication ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday June 28 at Lacawac’s Education Center beginning at 11 a.m. and will include remarks from the Wayne County Commissioners, Lacawac Sanctuary and Green Mountain Energy. The public is invited to attend.

The 8.28 kW solar array will reduce the building’s carbon footprint and serve as an educational tool. The new system will offset 100% of the building’s energy needs.

The estimated savings for the lifetime of the solar array system are expected to be $47,000. The annual expected savings of $2,300 will be used towards free environmental education programming for hundreds of K-12 students, most of whom are from low to moderate income families.

“Lacawac is currently constructing a new environmental education center where children and educators can come together to understand, appreciate, and protect our natural resources,” said Craig Lukatch, President of Lacawac. “Lacawac’s education center will be a gathering place in a stunning setting for the entire community. Lacawac is grateful that Green Mountain Energy Sun Club is helping us shape the next generation of earth stewards through their donation.”

Green Mountain Energy Sun Club donated nearly $43,000 for this eco-friendly upgrade. Since 2002, the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club has been empowering local communities by donating nearly $13 million to 156 nonprofit organizations across Texas and the Northeast.

The Sun Club program invites its customers and employees to contribute and help support more projects that promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental stewardship. This one-of-a-kind model intrinsically ties community engagement to Green Mountain employees and customers.

“While many nonprofit organizations are committed to clean energy, solar is one way to meet those goals, they often lack the funding to install a solar panel system,” Mark Parsons, the vice president and general manager for Green Mountain Energy, said. “We are honored to collaborate with Lacawac Sanctuary to support these sustainable upgrades and use them to educate and inspire those thinking about switching to solar energy.”