GREEN MOUNTAIN ENERGY^® SOLAR INSTALLATIONS

This no-kill animal shelter just north of Austin is helping some of the most needy members of their community: unwanted pets. Because of Texas Humane Heroes thousands of animals have been saved from certain euthanasia at other local shelters and adopted out to loving homes. Texas Humane Heroes now features a solar pavilion as the centerpiece of their new memorial garden, built with the donation from the Sun Club. It’s a place pet owners can go to walk a path among wild flowers, sit under the shade of the pavilion, and remember their departed pets. The pavilion can also serve as an event venue such as a pet friendly wedding! Of course, the solar array on top is also providing pollution-free energy to the buildings, helping to reduce their energy costs. Any money saved goes right back into their mission to save as many animals as possible.

This charter school in the Houston Independent School District is full of bright, amazing minds with a love of learning and exploration. Thanks to the Sun Club, Wilson Montessori School now has an array on campus from which to learn the importance of solar energy. In addition to providing the school with pollution-free energy, it’s also incorporated into the learning curriculum of the science classes.

Singularity Solar Energy was started in 2011 by a family who wanted to do more to help their community and promote solar energy. This new non-profit donates solar energy systems to low-income households who struggle day-to-day just pay essential expenses, like their electricity bill. The Sun Club was proud to be the first major donor to Singularity when we donated $10,000 in April 2012. Working with Habitat for Humanity, Singularity used those funds to install arrays on the homes of two deserving families in north Texas. Read more about this great story and organization; see the links below.

The new education complex at the Gladys Porter Zoo now offers visitors real-time information on the importance of solar energy. That’s because the complex is partially powered by a solar array built with $130,000 donated by the Sun Club. This south Texas landmark has the mission to promote wildlife conservation and, naturally, protecting the environment is crucial to that cause. They see the inclusion of solar energy as a natural fit in their efforts to protect wildlife. The donation of a monitor relaying the array’s production and impact to visitors inside the building also helps highlight the system’s true impact. This is the fourth zoo in Texas to proudly claim to be solar powered thanks to the Sun Club!

Dallas has a new landmark that’s sure to turn heads and expand minds. The Dallas Museum of Science and History has a new home and name after it moved from the Fairgrounds to downtown Dallas. The building is as interesting on the outside as it is inside. Thanks to a $100,000 donation from the Sun Club, visitors are able to see first-hand how the power of the sun can be used to heat the café’s water and everything else you could want to know about solar energy. Most of the donation went towards three large solar hot water systems on the living roof, easily seen from the inside. The donation also built solar education inside the energy hall and next to the viewing area for the solar hot water heaters. The Sun Club is thrilled to work with an institution like the Perot Museum to promote solar energy to millions of visitors each year!

Few non-profits have the reach or respect of the world-renowned organization that is Habitat for Humanity, which is why the Sun Club loves this amazing organization. Since the proceeds from the ReStore go directly to Waco Habitat, this solar donation is helping to make quality housing affordable for low-income Wacoans while building a more sustainable world. Since 1986, Waco Habitat for Humanity has built over 140 simple, decent, affordable homes in partnership with low-income families in need. ReStore is the Sun Club’s fourth solar dedication in Waco, and 38th dedication since the program was founded in 2002.

Donating solar arrays to schools certainly isn’t new for the Sun Club. However, the Live Oak Classical School stands out as being the first Sun Club donation being awarded because a school’s student submitted the application. D.J. Achterhof was a senior at Live Oak Classical School when his environmental science teacher encouraged the class to figure out a unique way they can each give back to the school. When D.J. saw an article about the Sun Club looking for applicants, he wasted no time applying for his school. The uniqueness of the application submitter wasn’t the only reason Live Oak was selected. The school’s focus on teaching the next generation of thinkers and problem solvers with a focus on ways to improve their communities also made them a clear choice.

To celebrate their university’s centennial anniversary, the student-run Rice Habitat for Humanity chapter wanted to design and build a house that was unique among all Habitat homes. Not only in architecture but also in energy efficiency. What they ultimately built did not disappoint. Modern, stylish, functional and built with solar energy in mind with a slanted roof perfectly situated for a 5 kW array. This is not the first Habitat home to be fitted with solar thanks to the Sun Club, but it’s certainly the most beautiful. Green Mountain employees also had the honor of helping to build this unique structure on the day the roof framing was installed. We literally raised the roof! Check out the links below for more information on this amazing, solar-powered home.

The  Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden , voted the "Best Attraction In Dallas", is also one of the city's most beautiful outdoor attractions. It features spectacular display gardens that showcase incredible seasonal flowers, ornamental shrubs, trees and plant collections in a serene setting on White Rock Lake. The sprawling 66 acres now shine a little brighter thanks to the addition of six new solar-powered trams donated by the Sun Club! The trams have solar panels installed on their roofs and are part of a fleet of carts that transport visitors who need assistance getting around the gardens. Volunteers drive the trams and guide visitors through the grounds, making sure every visitor has a memorable experience at the famous outdoor attraction. The three larger trams were fitted with 460-watt (W) solar arrays which collect enough energy from the sun to power the cart with renewable energy for 10 miles at a time, while the three smaller trams utilize 190-W arrays and can run about 7 miles between charges.  With these trams, the Dallas Arboretum offers a mode of transportation that reflects its commitment to sustainability while uniquely showcasing and educating visitors on renewable energy.  

Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity transforms neighborhoods by engaging families and community partners in creating affordable housing. It's vision is that all individuals and families live in thriving neighborhoods where hopes and dreams are realized for generations to come because poverty housing is socially, politically and spiritually unacceptable. Since 1986, Dallas Habitat has served over 1,000 low-income families using homeownership as an anchor for hope, change, and fellowship resulting in an investment of approximately $120 million in more than 20 neighborhoods. It is the largest builder of single-family homes in the City of Dallas. Visit www.dallas-habitat.org for more information.

The University of Houston is a comprehensive national research institution serving the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships.  UH serves more than 38,500 students in the nation’s fourth largest city, located in the most ethnically and culturally diverse region of the country. Visit www.uh.edu to learn more.

The Cameron Park Zoo is an award winning natural habitat Zoo located in Waco, Texas. Its mission is to promote conservation awareness and cultural enrichment through education and recreation, to be a survival center for native and exotic animal species, and an active community partner in economic development through tourism. For more information, visit www.cameronparkzoo.com

The nationally acclaimed Fort Worth Zoo has been ranked the No. 5 zoo in the nation by USA Travel Guide and the No. 1 attraction in the DFW Metroplex by Zagat survey. The Zoo is home to more than 500 animal species and a world-famous reptile collection, housed in the Museum of Living Art (MOLA). The institution’s focus on education and conservation is second to none, enhancing the lives of more than 1 million visitors a year.  For more information visit www.fortworthzoo.org.

The Mission of the Art Museum of South Texas is to advance the awareness, knowledge, appreciation and enjoyment of the visual arts for residents and visitors of South Texas. It presents a variety of programs which include classes, lectures, films, performances and other activities which inspire community interest in the visual arts. The Museum is affiliated with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. For more information visit www.ArtMuseumofSouthTexas.org.

Since 1987, Houston Habitat for Humanity, along with thousands of sponsors and volunteers, has built more than 840 affordable homes for purchase by hard-working, low-income Houstonians. Qualified Houston Habitat homebuyers agree to a no-interest mortgage and contribute 300 hours of "sweat equity" in lieu of a down payment. Partner families are provided with classes on money management and home maintenance. More information about Houston Habitat and its “ReStore” discounted building supply store is available online at www.houstonhabitat.org.

Founded in 1987, the Botanical Research Institute of Texas is an international, scientific research and learning center focused on conservation and knowledge sharing. Based in Fort Worth, BRIT documents the diversity of plant life and conducts extensive research around the world. Current major projects are in Texas, Europe, Peru, and Papua New Guinea. In the last ten years BRIT scientists have located and described scores of species previously unknown to science. In the spring of 2011, BRIT moved into its new sustainable and energy efficient headquarters located in the Fort Worth Cultural District. For more information please visit www.BRIT.org

The Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame honors over 100 Texas men and women who have excelled in the sport and business of rodeo and the western lifestyle. In addition to the displays dedicated to Inductees, the museum includes the Sterquell Wagon Collection, The John Justin Trail of Fame and Chisholm Trail Exhibit.  The museum also houses The Zigrang Bit Collection, Amon G. Carter’s 1933 Cadillac, The Adventures of the Cowboy Trail (a child’s four-station exploratorium) and The Jersey Lilly Old-Tyme Photo Parlor. For more information, please visit: www.texascowboyhalloffame.org

Serving families with children from 18 months through the kindergarten and primer level through a unique, science-based curriculum, The da Vinci School’s mission is to help establish basic skills through teaching methods that enhance a child’s joy in learning, while fostering the child’s self-confidence and self-image. The school also employs environmentally-conscious practices in its everyday operations. In fact, this solar is one reason the schools new building is expecting to achieve Gold LEED certification. Click here for more information on the environmental attributes of their campus. Learn more about the school at www.davincischool.org.

Rated by TIME Magazine as one of the top 5 theaters in the nation performing for youth, Dallas Children’s Theater is a professional theater serving more than 270,000 young people and their families through its 11 main stage productions, national touring company, and education and outreach programs. As the only major organization in Dallas focusing solely on youth and family theater, DCT builds bridges of understanding between generations and cultures, instilling an early appreciation of literature, art and the performing arts in tomorrow’s artists and patrons. For more information visit www.dct.org.

The mission of the Texas State Aquarium is to inspire appreciation and wise stewardship of the Gulf of Mexico. The Aquarium is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. Learn more at www.texasstateaquarium.org.

The McAllen Chamber, with more than 1600 members, is committed to powering the economy for South Texas, working to retain and attract jobs and investment to the region and helping regional business expand and grow. The Chamber represents business throughout the city of McAllen and all of South Texas. For more information visit www.mcallen.org.

The new Museum building, created by internationally acclaimed architects Legorreta + Legorreta with Gideon Toal, is located in the heart of Fort Worth’s Cultural District. The world-class, 166,000 square-foot facility features a collection of new, interactive exhibits and programs developed by the Museum’s staff and a team of nationally recognized designers in support of the Museum’s dedication to informal, discovery-based learning for all. For more information visit www.fortworthmuseum.org.

For over 35 years the Chinquapin School has provided economically disadvantaged youths from the Houston area with the opportunity for a better future through education. The mission of The Chinquapin School is to provide a high quality college-preparatory education to able and motivated youth from low-income families in the Greater Houston area. Through its rigorous curriculum and an emphasis on community service and earning what one receives, Chinquapin aims to produce responsible, well-educated citizens who will become constructive leaders in the community. For more information, visit www.Chinquapin.org.

Girl Scouts is the premier leadership organization for girls. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Chartered by GSUSA to provide Girl Scouting locally, Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council is one of the largest Girl Scout councils in the country serving more than 65,000 girl members and 17,000 adults in 26 southeast Texas counties. For more information visit www.gssjc.org.

Eastfield College has been serving the eastern corridor of Dallas County. Eastfield College works to provide educational opportunities through high-quality instruction, services and programs in an environment conducive to student success in academic, technical, occupational, and continuing education. Eastfield is part of the Dallas County Community College District. For more information, visit www.eastfieldcollege.edu.

With an enrollment of more than 6,000 students, TSTC grants diplomas in more than 30 programs across its Industrial-Manufacturing, Computer Information Systems and Allied Health divisions. It also offers a 48-credit Academic Core package of basic courses transferable to all four-year public universities in Texas. For more information, go to www.harlingen.tstc.edu.

Ballroom Marfa is a dynamic, contemporary cultural arts space that provides a lively intellectual environment where varied perspectives and issues are explored through visual arts, film, music and performance. As an advocate for the freedom of artistic expression, Ballroom Marfa’s mission is to serve international, national, regional and local communities and support the work of both emerging and recognized artists working in all media. Ballroom Marfa is particularly interested in helping artists and curators achieve projects that have significant cultural impact but would be impossible to realize in a traditional gallery or museum setting. For more information, visit www.ballroommarfa.org.

School was founded in 1980 with a mission to provide a nurturing environment where children discover fundamentals within the context of an integrated, real-world curriculum. The school serves children in kindergarten through fifth grade in small, multi-age classes. Each class has a two-grade span with an average of 12 students assigned to each classroom teacher. The school has a full-time teaching staff of four and a part-time staff of three teachers. Satori is committed to helping each child reach their full potential using innovative teaching, individual attention, and parental involvement. Satori is not associated with any religion. Satori requires parental involvement in the school, ranging from volunteering in school activities and fundraising efforts to serving as Board officers of the school. For more information, visit www.satorischool.net.

Workshop Houston builds the foundations for empowered communities through creative and enriching activities for youth. Workshop Houston has five shops that provide creative, technical and educational resources: the Third Ward Bike Shop (do-it-yourself bike repair), the Chopper Shop (welding and metal fabrication), the Beat Shop (hip-hop music production), the Style Shop (fashion design) and the Scholar Shop (academic support and tutoring). Our programs use hands-on project and dynamic collaborative processes to create an environment in which youth explore new knowledge and power on their own terms. For information, visit www.workshophouston.org.

The Chamber is a voluntary association of businesses, professionals and individuals working together to build a healthy business environment, promote economic development and work effectively to improve the quality of life in the Greater Waco area. In 2008 it dedicated its new building which was the first green chamber building in America. For more information  please visit www.waco-chamber.com.

Founded in 1922, the Houston Zoo is an exciting live animal adventure that provides a unique educational and conservation resource serving 1.5 million guests annually. Set in a 55-acre lush tropical landscape, the Zoo is home to more than 4,500 exotic animals representing more than 800 species. Operated by the not-for-profit Houston Zoo, Inc., the Houston Zoo is dedicated to the conservation of endangered species, the provision of engaging educational opportunities and the creation of stimulating exhibits that broaden the experiences of our guests and encourage their curiosity. For more information visit www.houstonzoo.org.

The Museum of Nature & Science, formerly the Dallas Museum of Natural History, The Science Place and the Dallas Children’s Museum, is a non-profit educational organization located in Dallas’ Fair Park. In support of its mission to inspire minds through nature and science, MNS delivers exciting, engaging and innovative visitor experiences through its education, exhibition and research and collections programming for students, teachers, families and life-long learners. The MNS campus includes the TI Founders IMAX® Theater and a cutting-edge digital planetarium.  To learn more visit www.natureandscience.org.

Since 1985, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin and Central Texas (RMHC-ACT) has provided services to thousands of families whose children are seeking treatment at Austin-area hospitals. RMHC-ACT serves the 46 counties surrounding the city of Austin and Central Texas. As part of the worldwide Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), RMHC-ACT is committed to helping families of critically ill or injured children, giving them a place to rest, eat and share experiences with families of other children in similar situations. Other services provided by RMHC-ACT include administering grant money provided by RMHC Global to local organizations sharing a similar focus on children’s issues, supporting an annual scholarship program and providing burial assistance and grief counseling to families who have experienced the loss of a child. For more information  please visit www.rmhc-austin.org.

Sheldon Lake & Environmental Learning Center is a 2,800 acre outdoor education and recreation facility located in northeast Houston. Primary activities on the lake include fishing, and wildlife observation and activities at the Environmental Learning Center include group programming, birding, wildlife/nature study and fishing for children. The Learning Center includes a ½ mile self-guided nature trail that passes 28 naturalized ponds which contain alligators and other wildlife. These arrays are part of a renewable energy system which also includes a small wind turbine, a solar water heater and a weather station. For more information about Sheldon Lake State Park, please visit http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/sheldon_lake/.

The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary is a 289-acre outdoor preserve and nature museum. Guests encounter various ecosystems along with species of birds, insects, and animals that have found refuge within the rapidly developing Collin County area. The museum features: The Living Lab, an interactive hands-on science laboratory; Venomous Snakes of Texas exhibit; and rotating nature art exhibits. For more information visit www.heardmuseum.org.

Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, an ecumenical housing ministry in partnership with families, volunteers and others, builds communities of hope, dignity, and self-worth through the construction of quality, affordable housing and the nurture of decent, safe neighborhoods. Our goal is to eradicate substandard low-income housing in Dallas County. Dallas Area Habitat is the seventh largest homebuilder in Dallas and ranks sixth in homebuilding among U.S. Habitat for Humanity affiliates. For more information, please visit www.dallasareahabitat.org.

Opened in the late 1970s and located in southeast Dallas County in Seagoville, TX, the Dallas ISD Environmental Education Center offers programs designed to extend and enrich the state and local schools’ curriculum. The Center consists of 500 acres of natural Texas habitat and includes interactive displays, nature trails, plants, animals, exhibits, laboratories, a greenhouse, and various gardens. The museum portion of the center includes a large orientation theater and a variety of instructive exhibits that focus on the actual ecosystems at the Environmental Center site. For more information, visit www.dallasisd.org/depts/eec/eec.html.

Houston Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit, ecumenical housing mission, is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing in the City of Houston by helping low-income families earn a simple, decent home in which to live and raise their children. For more information, please visit www.houstonhabitat.org.

Seabrook Intermediate is the home school for the communities of Seabrook, El Lago, Clear Lake Forest, and Taylor Lake. The mission of Seabrook Intermediate School is to educate children by encouraging individual achievement and developing skills needed to be successful, responsible, and productive members of a global society. Seabrook Intermediate houses the Science Magnet Program, which offers to students a uniquely enriched science curriculum with many outside science activities. It is home of the Seabrook Spartans. For more information, please visit www2.ccisd.net/OurSchools/SeabrookInt.aspx.

Located in Alvin, Texas and part of the Alvin Independent School District. Alvin High School is home of the Yellow Jackets and features almost 50 clubs and student organizations. Alvin was one of 31 schools participating in the Texas Solar for Schools program. For more information, please visit http://www.alvinisd.net/education/school/school.php?sectionid=18.

These bakers on a mission don’t hire people to bake brownies, the bake brownies to hire people! Greyston Bakery is the revenue arm of the Greyston Foundation which runs a host of social programs in Yonkers, NY to help folks get back on their feet, gainfully employed and living in clean, affordable housing. They can now claim to be baking their delicious brownies (sold in Whole Foods and in Ben & Jerry’s ice cream) with solar power! The funds saved from the array go right back into their social programs, having a positive impact on the community of Yonkers.

Founded in May 1996, Upper Kirby was the first private foundation community center to be established in Houston. Upper Kirby is the home to the Upper Kirby District Association and the Upper Kirby District Foundation, organizations established to improve the quality of life and sense of community in the Upper Kirby District. The organization serves the needs of other community non-profit organizations such as the Nature Conservatory of Texas, Inc., Mothers for Clean Air, Houston Women’s Caucus for Arts, Crisis Intervention of Houston, Inc., and Texans for Alternatives to Pesticides. Please visit http://www.upperkirbydistrict.org/ for more information.

The Human Impacts Institute works with East River State Park to bring free environmental education programs to community members and visitors of North Brooklyn.  As the park does not have electricity, the solar-powered generator donated by the Sun Club is used for HII workshops and events with other community partners. It charges batteries and electronics that serve their public events and workshops, such as outdoor lighting, cell phone chargers, portable fans and coolers, and audio equipment. It is also used to host sustainable construction, energy efficiency, and cooking demonstrations. To learn more about this great organization, visit www.humanimpactsinstitute.org.

The Winston School is a coeducational college preparatory school enrolling 230 bright students who learn differently in grades one through twelve. Winston serves children who exhibit learning differences in academic skills (reading, writing, math, and language) as well as attention and concentration. Winston's program is child-centered and focuses on the individual providing each student with an individualized educational plan based on comprehensive evaluations. Founded in 1975, The Winston School is accredited by the Independent School Association of the Southwest and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools. Visit http://www.winston-school.org/ for more information.

For over 30 years, GrowNYC’s Greenmarket staff, volunteers and farmers have been working together to promote regional agriculture, preserve farmland and ensure a continuing supply of fresh, local produce for all New Yorkers. This Sun Club project is unique not just because it's the first solar array donated by the Sun Club in New York, but also the first one to be placed on top of a van! Prior to its installation on the Greenmarket van permantly parked at Union Square, staff members had to use a butane-powered generator to run their appliances during their natural food cooking demonstrations for market visitors and school children. Any other equipment, such as computers and phone chargers, also had to use this butane generator. Now it's all powered by the sun with no pollution! An educational sign donated by the Sun Club informs passer-bys about the array and how it is helping the Greenmarket reduce its environmental footprint and save money, further supporting this unique urban farmer's market. For more information about this great organization, please visit www.grownyc.org.

Philabundance is the largest hunger relief organization in the Delaware Valley, providing food to 65,000 neighbors in need each week. They are able to provide two meals for each dollar donated. The solar generator they receive from the Sun Club is offsetting energy use at one of their warehouses. The saved funds are used to provide food to those in the community who need it. For more information about this amazing organization, please visit www.philabundance.org.