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If you’re thinking about getting solar for your nonprofit, you’re not alone! Solar not only lowers your carbon footprint — it can also lower your nonprofit’s electricity bills, allowing you to focus resources on your mission.
Before you start the process of going solar, it helps to know a few basics about the technology and what it will mean for your nonprofit.
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Solar system components
Solar is a simple and trusted technology, with no moving parts and very few components susceptible to failure.
Solar panels
Solar panels are made up of solar cells, which are usually one or two layers of silicon-based semiconductor wafers. The cells have a positive layer and a negative layer. That creates an electrical field. When the cells in solar panels are hit by the photons (particles of light) in sunlight, that knocks electrons free from their atoms, which generates electricity.
Inverters
The electricity generated by solar panels is direct current (DC), but our buildings use alternating current (AC). So the DC power is sent to an inverter, which converts the DC power to AC. Then the power can be used …
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The Solar Spotlight:
Solar Spotlight: San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum
San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum sparks a love of learning so ALL children can discover their wildest dreams.
Established in 2000, the museum offers play and educational experiences for children ages 0-10, focusing on social-emotional learning (SEL) and STREAM (science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, and math). The museum aims to support children who are most impacted by early childhood educational disparities during the earliest years when it matters most.
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The museum’s wide-ranging programs and services
The museum’s services and programs include 13,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor purposeful play areas and exhibits, free daily educator-led experiences, a Mobile Children’s Museum, special STREAM events, sensory-friendly hours, after-school/summer camps, and STEM activity kits.
“As an early education provider, the museum wants to ensure access for all to the early education opportunities that are so critical to children’s growth and development,” says Piranio.
The museum removes cost barriers through its Access for All Initiative. Visitors with EBT / SNAP or CalFresh / WIC cards receive discounted admission of $2 per person, compared to the usual ticket price of $14 per person. Discounted attendance has risen recently to 40% of museum visitors — representing a 30% increase in the last few years in the number of families utilizing this critical program.
Combining solar savings and environmental stewardship
The museum is now enjoying a new 29.9 kW solar system, installed by GRID Alternatives. It produces 100% of the museum’s electricity use and represents an investment that will hedge against rising electricity prices.
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“Environmental conservation and stewardship are part of our educational values here at San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum. Adding solar helps us to live our values and contribute to the environmental stewardship that we teach to children.” — Christina Piranio, CEO
Savings from the museum’s solar project will be reinvested back into the organization’s programs to ensure that the exhibits and experiences remain …
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This loan was made possible by the generous participation of the BQuest Foundation.
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Know A Nonprofit?
If your favorite nonprofit organization is exploring going solar and their mission is to provide programs & services that support communities of concern benefitting:
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CollectiveSun is here to help you with your solar financing.
| Interest Rates Start at 4.99% |
| Rates Are Based On Community Impact, Not Just Credit Score |
| One Simple Payment | Term Length Up To 10 Years |
| Payment Holiday Durning Construction of System | No Prepayment Penality |
Our goal is for you to end up with a solar system that reduces your carbon footprint and is a $0 down investment with a positive cash flow from day one, so it has an immediate impact on your bottom line. That’s what we want most for the organizations that are the backbone of our communities — financial and environmental sustainability that allows you to concentrate on your mission and reach your sustainability goals.
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If you’d like to learn more, schedule a meeting with Nicole here.
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Navigating the world of solar financing can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Our team of seasoned experts has been focused on delivering solar financing solutions for nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations across the country for over a decade. In just the last few years, we’ve proudly facilitated solar projects for over 200 nonprofits spanning 25 states.
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At CollectiveSun, we understand that every nonprofit is unique, and that’s why we offer a diverse range of financing options. Whether you’re considering a loan like our CollectiveSun Solar Loan designed to support your purchase of a solar system while allowing you to benefit directly from the Direct Pay Tax Rebate; exploring third-party ownership options like our CollectiveSun Solar Power Agreement (SPA); or seeking a hybrid funding model like our CollectiveSun Prepaid Solar Power Agreement (Prepaid SPA), we have the perfect solution to match your solar financing needs.
For those looking to dive deeper into how Direct Pay can benefit you, we’re excited to offer a free comprehensive course series on HeatSpring. This series covers not only Direct Pay but also the additional ITC bonus adders, providing you with all the information you need for when your filing is due.
📚 Enroll in the free course here:
CollectiveSun HeatSpring Direct Pay & More Course Series
You’ll discover how these incentives can make solar energy even more accessible and cost-effective for your nonprofit organization. Together, let’s harness the power of the sun to fuel your mission and create a brighter, more sustainable future for all.
Let’s connect and start the conversation!
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CollectiveSun recently announced a $25 million commitment in support of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Better Climate Challenge for renewable energy partnerships. As a Better Climate Challenge financial ally, we will help increase awareness and availability of funding options for renewable energy projects.
Churches are using climate-friendly solutions for hurricane blackouts. Self-sustaining microgrids can increase resilience in places across the U.S. and the world that are experiencing extreme weather events!
Don’t underestimate solar! According to a new report, the world is on track to install 29% more solar energy capacity this year — a total of 593 gigawatts — than last year, which was already a record year. In 2020, the whole world had installed just 760 GW of solar in total..
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