Santa Catalina School Bedford Family Gymnasium
“We are excited to partner with Santa Catalina, and to bring the best solar technology to the school. My team and I are passionate about solar technology and what we do, so it’s exciting to hear that the students will now have the opportunity to learn about solar.” said President and CEO Pete Scudder of Scudder Solar Energy Systems.
Those in attendance at the announcement included Head of School Sister Claire Barone, Scudder Solar Energy Systems’ team, Assemblyman Bill Monning, Mayor Chuck Della Sala, Supervisor Dave Potter and representatives from SunPower Corporation and Technology Credit Corporation. A letter from Congressman Sam Farr congratulating Santa Catalina School for their initiative to incorporate the use of alternative energy was also presented.
“We are very pleased with the project from an environmental and educational standpoint and are eager to begin using the solar project as one of the experiential learning opportunities we offer at Santa Catalina.” said Head of School Sister Claire Barone.
In addition to this solar project, the new Lower and Middle School multipurpose building under construction will also have solar. These projects are the first phase of several solar projects that Scudder Solar Energy Systems will complete for Santa Catalina School and add to a list of many energy saving projects the school has been engaged with in the past several years. Santa Catalina School has retrofitted the school facilities with low-flow water appliances in all restrooms, showers and kitchens, LED lighting in the gymnasium, energy saving light fixtures and low wattage bulbs and motion sensor lighting in all appropriate buildings. Santa Catalina School also installed an energy efficient pool heater and a variable speed pool pump motor that significantly cuts energy use by running at a low speed during the evening and overnight. Each project will save energy, future funds and provide teachers and students with an additional educational resource.
Santa Catalina's goal is to educate and prepare students to become responsible stewards of the planet. They are committed to environmental sustainability on campus and in the community. Other green initiatives at Santa Catalina include growing an organic garden that serves educational purposes and the products are used in the school kitchen, a student-run environmental club called R4, and participation in Earth Week. Lower, Middle and Upper School have student run recycling programs and community service programs throughout the school include volunteerism connected to a variety of local environmental programs.
The solar system is grid tied and includes a main upper piece, and two lower flat panels located on three surfaces of the Bedford Family Gymnasium. The system includes 360 commercial solar panels manufactured by SunPower and is powered by the world’s most efficient, patented solar technology available. SunPower solar cells are designed to produce up to 50 percent more energy per square foot compared to other solar technologies and consistently outperforms in a broad range of real-world conditions, including high temperatures, low light and over extended periods of time.
About Scudder Solar Energy Systems
Scudder Solar Energy Systems, based in Marina, CA, is one of the leading solar energy contractors serving Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. A licensed California electrical/solar contractor as well as a licensed roofing contractor, each Scudder project is designed, engineered and installed with the utmost care and skill by dedicated solar professionals who strive to meet individual needs and aesthetics on every project they complete. Scudder Solar offers sustainable and cost-effective solar solutions no matter how big or small the project for homes or businesses as well as a wide variety of solar financing and no-money-down solar lease options. The name Scudder has been synonymous with quality craftsmanship and superior service for 30 years. For more information, please visit http://www.scuddersolar.com or call 831-384-3900.
About Santa Catalina School
Santa Catalina School is dedicated to the education of young people between the ages of 4-18, giving careful consideration to the individual abilities and potential of each child. The school’s mission is to balance intellectual growth with spiritual awareness, creativity with order, and individuality with compassion. Santa Catalina School is enriched by the diversity of socioeconomic, religious, geographic, and cultural backgrounds represented by students and faculty. The Upper School includes boarding students from 14 states and 9 countries. Local students come from not only the Central Coast, but also from cities as far away as Gilroy, King City, Santa Cruz, San Jose and Santa Clara. For more information visit http://www.santacatalina.org or call 831.655.9300.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
