Bullfrog Power Partners with Salt Spring Transition Community Energy Group and SD 64

Aug. 14, 2014 - PRLog -- Bullfrog Power, Canada’s leading green energy provider, and Transition Salt Spring Community Energy Group have partnered to help fund the development of a rooftop solar installation of the Gulf Islands Secondary School (GISS) on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. When built, the installation will be the largest school-based solar photovoltaic array in British Columbia. Transition Salt Spring is already two-thirds of the way towards its community fundraising goal of $60,000 and is actively seeking donations from Salt Spring and Gulf Islands residents, businesses and organizations.

To encourage participation, Bullfrog Power is offering a challenge. Through its Bullfrog Builds Renewable Accelerator program, Bullfrog Power is committing up to $20,000 to match all new donations until the Community Energy Group reaches its fundraising goal.

A unique aspect of the project is that the dollar value of energy savings from the new 21 kilowatt (kW) solar array will be set aside by the Gulf Islands School District to create a Solar Scholarship Fund. Each year, for the lifetime of the solar array, students at GISS who are interested in renewable energy, renewable energy trades certifications, and similar studies, will be eligible for the solar scholarships.

"Thanks to our local renewable energy pioneer and Bullfrog customer Ron Watts, the Bullfrog Builds program was on our radar from the beginning," said Salt Spring Community Energy Group’s Kjell Liem, Project Coordinator. "We are delighted that Bullfrog Power has chosen to accelerate the final fundraising push and help ensure the solar installation can proceed as soon as possible."

The final project will also include electric vehicle charging and the development of renewable energy education curricula for all students in the District. As well, the community-at-large will be able to follow the energy output from the solar panels in real-time via the web.

“The Bullfrog Builds program helps develop new renewable energy projects across Canada and builds awareness of the importance of taking action on climate change,” said Ron Seftel, Senior Vice President, Operations, Bullfrog Power. “This new solar array, by both generating clean power and funding a Solar Scholarship, is a model project for us, demonstrating that green energy projects can make real and ongoing contributions to their communities.”

Donations can be made through the website www.saltspringcommunityenergy.com or by cheque and are eligible for charitable tax receipts.

About Bullfrog Power
Bullfrog Power, Canada’s leading green energy provider, offers renewable energy solutions that enable homes and businesses to reduce their environmental impact, support the development of green energy projects in Canada and help create a cleaner, healthier world. As a Certified B Corporation, Bullfrog Power meets higher standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Thousands of Canadian homes and businesses are doing their part to address climate change and air pollution by switching to green energy with Bullfrog Power. Homes and businesses can sign up easily, quickly and affordably at www.bullfrogpower.com.

Join the bullfrogpowered community online—follow us on Twitter (@bullfrogpower), like us on Facebook (facebook.com/BullfrogPower).

About Transition Salt Spring Community Energy Group
The Transition Salt Spring Community Energy Group is a group of local citizens concerned about sustainability, encouraging renewable energy and clean technology development on Salt Spring. Our strategy includes developing partnerships with local organizations to create renewable energy projects that will inspire and educate our community to embrace renewable energy and a rapid transition to a low carbon economy.

Visit the Solar Scholarship project on Facebook (www.facebook.com/GISS-Solar-Scholarship-Project (https://www.facebook.com/pages/GISS-Solar-Scholarship-Pro...))

About School District 64 (Gulf Islands)
School District 64 is made up of the five island communities in the Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia. The Board believes that sustainability—including the environmental and ethical aspects of it—is a goal of public education. Further, it believes that the district and the schools have a responsibility and the opportunity to both practice sustainability and to foster an understanding of sustainability concepts and sustainable ways of living.

Contacts

Bullfrog Power

Jon McKay

Public Relations Manager

Tel: 416.360.3464 ext 239

Email: jon.mckay@bullfrogpower.com

Transition Salt Spring Community Energy Group
David Denning
Director
Tel: 250.537.4797
Email: ddenning@telus.net

School District 64 (Gulf Islands)
Rob Pingle
Trustee, School District 64
Tel: 250.537.6292
Email: robpingle@telus.net