Colorado companies collaborate to bring large scale solar to Stanley British Primary School
Denver, CO – An impressive collection of Colorado business have collaborated to deliver a large scale solar electric (photovoltaic) system for Stanley British Primary School – an independent, K-8 school in Denver’s Lowry neighborhood.
With installation of the system in December 2010, the school took a big step by choosing to produce a meaningful amount of its energy requirements using renewable means. The school had approached a local developer, Renewable Technology Partners (RTP), to explore available solar options. Working with a private investor, RTP partnered with Boulder-based Simple Solar to engineer and construct the 66 kW solar electric system under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) structure. PPAs are a common mechanism used by developers to facilitate third party ownership and operation of solar systems, providing an economical way for non-profits and businesses to receive the benefit of solar power with no out of pocket costs.
Two facets of this project make it unique: 1) the system is 100% comprised of components manufactured by and installed by Colorado companies and 2) the installer is collaborating with the school to develop and deliver a solar curriculum catering to Stanley’s K-8 student population.
Stanley offers an experiential, hands-on education that values responsible stewardship of the environment. Through integration within Stanley’s innovative curriculum, the solar project will provide a focal point for lessons integrating math, science, conservation, and ecology. Stanley students and their families will learn in concrete ways about the difference we all can make in sustaining our environment.
The School: Stanley British Primary School {www.stanleybps.org} is an accredited independent day school located in the Lowry neighborhood of East Denver. Stanley was originally organized in 1972 as a single model British Primary classroom of 28 students housed in a local church. Today it is a thriving, innovative K-8 school of 420 students, fostering a vision of “a community of joyful, lifelong learners prepared to make a positive difference in the world.”
‘We are pleased to collaborate with local businesses on a project that will serve our students and our community. The solar installation reflects our value of responsible stewardship of our environment, and we hope it may inspire others to act in a similar fashion.”
-Tim Barrier, Head of School
The Developer: Renewable Technology Partners {www.renewabletp.com} is a Denver based national developer and financier of clean energy solutions. RTP leverages innovative deal structures, best of breed technology and a broad base of investors to create optimal projects.
“We have built our business by partnering with world class companies and making sense of the complex Federal, State, Local and Utility incentive landscape to provide attractive clean energy solutions for owner/operators, while at the same time generating market leading returns for our investors. We are pleased to have been the catalyst for such a great project and are extremely proud that were able to use 100% American designed and manufactured product.”
-Mike Pardun, Managing Partner
Integrator/Installer: Simple Solar {www.simplesolar.com} was chosen to design, engineer, install, and commission the system. Based in Boulder, CO, Simple Solar has offered complete photovoltaic system services in the Colorado Front Range since 1998. Simple Solar has partnered with Boulder based Deneuve Construction to take advantage of their commercial and general contractor expertise.
“We are proud to be integral to this endeavor to expand renewable energy, help Colorado clients save money, educate Colorado youth on the value of a sustainable future, employ smart Colorado people, and team with capable Colorado partners.”
-Joe Callahan, Founder and CEO
Solar Panels: Fort Collins, CO, headquartered Abound Solar {www.abound.com} manufactures next generation thin-film cadmium telluride solar modules ideally suited for large- and utility-scale commercial installations. Abound Solar recently announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will be providing the company with a $400 million, seven-year loan guarantee to expand its solar module manufacturing capabilities.
“Abound Solar is just one of the many leading companies in the solar photovoltaic industry based in Colorado. We are fortunate to be a part of this ecosystem and to participate in the Stanley British Primary School project.”
-Erik Mikysa, Director of Sales - Americas
Inverter: Advanced Energy {www.advanced-energy.com} is a Fort Collins, CO, based global leader in innovative power and flow solutions for emerging, renewable-energy and IT markets. Advanced Energy provided the inverters implemented at Stanley British Primary School.
“This is the ideal joining of Colorado clean energy talent and resources. We are pleased to be able to contribute our innovative products to this program,”
-Yuval Wasserman, President and Chief Operating Officer
Roof Racking: Located in Colorado Springs, CO, S-5! {www.s-5.com} delivers innovative metal roof attachment systems for almost any ancillary rooftop device. The S-5-PV Kit allows solar systems to be mounted on standing seam metal roofs without penetrating the roof panels. This attachment protects the integrity of the Stanley British Primary School roof, leaving all warranties intact.
“Our S-5-PV Kit has proven itself on large-array projects before, and we’ve heard back from engineers and project managers that they’ve never installed solar systems so quickly! This fast and easy installation will save Stanley British labor costs, while the Kit itself has one of the lowest costs on the market. S-5! has always been the loudest voice advocating the perfect marriage between metal roofs and PV systems for sustainability and energy savings, and we are very happy to be a part of this project!”
-Rob Haddock, Founder
Please direct inquiries to:
Tim Barrier, Head of School
Stanley British Primary School
350 Quebec Street
Denver, CO 80230
tbarrier@stanleybps.org
303-261-1742
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