RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – A new solar roof is helping IDEA Public Schools go green and save money in Weslaco.
The Pre-K-12 public charter school recently installed a solar project that covers the roof of their educational facility.
The solar installation will provide the IDEA Public Schools headquarters with electricity from sunlight and save the company tens of thousands of dollars on power bills.
Alba Energy’s McAllen, Texas office designed and installed a 1,072-panel, 364.48-kilowatt solar array on the rooftop of IDEA Public Schools’ campus in South Texas.
The new solar roof will produce over 500,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year — the equivalent to nearly 75% of the school’s needs.
The system was funded in part by a $100,000 grant from the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club. This is the 6th successful project Alba Energy has completed in partnership with the Sun Club in the past 3 years.
“In early 2018, Sun Club approved a $100,000 donation towards the installation of a 1,072 panel solar system, saving the school money and reducing its carbon footprint. That’s money that will instead be used to continue providing the high quality educational experience that students at IDEA Public Schools are accustomed to receiving.” – Stacy Mehlhoff, Program and Marketing Manager of the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club
“Alba Energy is honored to be selected as the solar design, engineering, and installation firm for yet another project in partnership with Green Mountain Energy and the Sun Club. This system is one of the largest in the Valley, and will provide IDEA Public Schools with 25+ years of savings and carbon reduction.” – Graeme Walker, Founder and CEO of Alba Energy
A special flip-the-switch solar unveiling event has been scheduled for Thursday, November 15th from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Local residents and members of the press are invited to join Alba Energy, IDEA Public Schools and Green Mountain Energy as they “flip the switch” to turn the system ‘on’ and begin energizing the school with solar power.
2115 W. Pike Blvd.
Weslaco, TX 78596
Main: (956) 377-8000
Fax: (956) 447-3796
IDEA Public Schools National Board Members: Collin Sewell – Chair, Ed Rivera – Vice-Chair and Treasurer, Ryan Vaughan – Secretary, Reba Cardenas McNair, David Earl, Erich Holmsten, Michael Adams, Gary Lindgren, Theresa Barrera-Shaw, Nanette Cocero.