 Courtesy photo. SAN LUIS OBISPO — Planned Parenthood California Central Coast celebrated its first solar electric system at its San Luis Obispo health center, as part of a regional plan to increase its reliance on renewable energy sources. The system is expected to net $250,000 in financial savings over the next 30 years. The project was part of CEC’s Solarize Nonprofit program and was made possible by support from Asteri Solar.
CEC’s Solarize Nonprofit pilot program is designed to help local nonprofits go solar and run off renewable energy without an upfront cost. The program grew out of CEC’s residential Solarize program, which has helped 858 homeowners go solar. The installation at Planned Parenthood was completed in partnership with CEC, funded by Asteri Solar, and installed by local company Solarponics Energy Management Systems.
Planned Parenthood California Central Coast is the seventh nonprofit to complete installation through the program, following the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition, Girls Inc. of Carpinteria, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Central Coast–Santa Maria Campus, Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, the Sea Center in Santa Barbara, and the Wildling Museum in Solvang.
PPCCC President & CEO Jenna Tosh said, “Going solar has been a goal of ours for years. We are so grateful for the partnership of CEC and Asteri Solar who helped us make this possible.”
“Supporting Planned Parenthood California Central Coast’s transition to solar power is one more important step toward moving our entire region to renewable energy,” noted CEC Energy Projects Manager Danny Ettelson.
The move was lauded by former San Luis Obispo Mayor Heidi Harmon. Harmon said, “Protecting our planet and protecting the health of our communities are inextricably linked. I am excited to see Planned Parenthood – an organization that protects the reproductive health of people in San Luis Obispo – show leadership to protect our planet.”
The solar project is part of an organization-wide effort at Planned Parenthood California Central Coast to be more environmentally sustainable. PPCCC also launched a food scraps composting program at its Santa Barbara location this year and plans to implement solar energy at its health centers in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.
Asteri Solar launched in 2018 to support the community through impact investing in solar for nonprofit organizations.
While Solarize Nonprofit has already identified several nonprofits for funding through the pilot, there may be additional capacity for the program. Eligible nonprofits must own their buildings or be in long-term leases and have facilities suitable for solar. Nonprofits may apply at cec.pub/solarize-nonprofit. |
