As a free, public charter high school, Rainshadow Community Charter High School offers an alternative path to higher academic achievement for all who would choose it.  In April 2010 Black Rock Solar installed a 31 kW photovoltaic solar array on the school’s roof.  The new array will save the school approximately $6,600 annually on its energy bill.

From Principal Steve West: “On behalf of the Rainshadow students, staff and Board of Directors, I would like to thank the Black Rock Solar staff for doing an excellent job getting this project in place. They went above and beyond the call of duty in working with our staff and students to make this a real world learning project in becoming more energy efficient and saving the school money in energy costs. We are also very grateful to NV Energy for the generous donation that made all this possible.  Our students are proud to be part of saving our planet’s future by becoming a greener school today.”

Under the leadership of science teacher Joe Ferguson, Rainshadow students were the first to use Black Rock Solar’s new curriculum, Solar 101.  “The students loved it,” said Ferguson.  “They learned a lot about solar energy and fossil fuel use.”

Rainshadow is also venue host to the non-profit Holland Project, providing solar-powered art and music to teenagers across the Truckee Meadows.

The Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts is an iconic Reno landmark located downtown near City Hall.  It is a private, non-profit cultural organization, and with 1,500-seats, is the largest public performing arts facility in northern Nevada.

Black Rock Solar installed a highly technical 20 kW array at the Pioneer Center in April 2010.   The system is projected to save the center approximately $4,400 per year on its energy bill.

The Pioneer Center is home to some of northern Nevada’s most prominent performing arts organizations including the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, Nevada Opera Association, and the A.V.A. Ballet Theatre.

Food Bank of Northern Nevada • 550 Italy Drive, McCarran, Nevada • 150 kW • Completed January 2010

Food Bank of Northern Nevada – Sparks, NV

The Food Bank of Northern Nevada is  a non-profit organization that provides meals to the needy, ill, and elderly. They are a regional food distribution center and support system for more than 100 different non-profit agencies. The FBNN has been serving their community for almost 30 years.

Black Rock Solar installed a 150 kW array at the Food Bank in January, 2010, saving the organization approximately $33,000 annually, enough money to buy 132,000 additional meals for needy families each and every year.

“The opportunity for the Food Bank to become more energy independent with this solar project translates directly into increased food and services for those who need it most,” says Cherie Jamason, Food Bank President and CEO.

Bishop Manogue Catholic High School • 110 Bishop Manogue Drive, Reno, NV • 100 kW • Completed November 2009

Bishop Manogue Catholic High School – Reno, NV

Bishop Manogue Catholic High School is a four-year Catholic, co-educational high school in Reno, Nevada. It is the only Catholic high school in northern Nevada.

In November, 2009, Black Rock Solar completed installation of a new 100 kW photovoltaic array on the roof of the school. Our first private school project will allow for financial aid for less privileged students and is the largest solar array installed at a school in Nevada.

“We are doing our part to be responsible stewards of God’s creation,” said school President Jim Toner. “In addition, the school colors of Bishop Manogue are green and gold. Going green with solar panels saves us some gold!”

Lovelock Elementary School • 1100 Harvard Way, Lovelock, NV • 70 kW • Completed July 2009

Lovelock Elementary School is part of the Pershing County School District and is located in a rural community just 95 miles NE of Reno.  The school is proud to offer many different programs to meet the needs of their diverse student population.

In July 2009, Black Rock Solar finished work on two separate solar arrays at the school property, totaling 70 kW.  Projected annual savings is approximately $18,000, the equivalent of a teacher’s aide position.

“We’re very supportive of the project,” said Dan Fox of Pershing County School District, “and we hope to be able to expand and install additional renewable energy technology in Lovelock.  It’s a also a great learning tool that has generated interest among staff and in the community.”

Fleischmann Planetarium • University of Nevada, Reno • 1 kW solar, 1 kW wind • Completed April 2009

Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center is part of the University of Nevada, Reno and serves about 50,000 visitors a year, including hundreds of school field trips. The Planetarium’s uniquely shaped building was designed by famed Reno architect Ray Hellman and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings.

The Planetarium now has a small wind turbine and an array of photovoltaic (solar electric) panels just outside the main entrance. Built by Black Rock Solar in April, 2009, the turbine and solar panels are used to teach students and the general public about renewable energy.

“Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center believes that renewable energy is crucial to the future of our state, nation, and world, and is closely tied to current and future space science research. In service of our mission of public science education, we are excited to feature an array of renewable technologies–PV, wind, and solar thermal–on site to demonstrate to a wide audience what the future of Earth and space looks like.”

Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Medical Clinic • Nixon, Nevada • 30 kW • Completed April 2009

Pyramid Lake Health Clinic

In April 2009, Black Rock Solar completed the first phase of solar panels for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe at the medical clinic in Nixon, Nevada.  The array generates enough electricity to save the clinic $7,000 per year, money that is used to improve care for patients and provide better health resources for the Paiute community.

During this project, Black Rock Solar provided the opportunity for two members of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe to learn about solar power and train as apprentices during the installation.  One of those men, Wakanwachi “Conch” Blindman is now a fully licensed solar installer and working for Black Rock Solar year-round.

Nevada Discovery Museum • 490 S. Center St. Reno, Nevada • 30 kW • Completed March 2009

Nevada Discovery Museum – Reno, NV

The Nevada Discovery Museum is designed not just to meet the cultural and educational needs of a growing community, but also to raise the bar for fun, family-based learning.  It is a place of open eyes, open minds and open horizons.

Our most challenging installation to date, the 30 kW array will save the museum approximately $7,000 on its utility bill.  This project will be part of the premier science and educational facility in the region-every school kid in Washoe County will visit, learning about solar power and renewable energy in the process.

“We benefit in two ways from our partnership,” says Board Chair Caryn Swobe.  “First, we are experiencing cost savings from the new technology. And,  most importantly, we will expose thousands of children and parents to the benefits of this clean, efficient source of energy.  We appreciate this opportunity and applaud Black Rock Solar for their efforts in our community.”

Seventh Day Adventist Church • 4th St Reno, NV • 50 kW solar • Completed 2009

Our first project for a church, the Seventh Day Adventist array in Reno is also the largest solar installation for a church anywhere in Nevada. Black Rock Solar worked closely with enthusiastic and visionary church officials to design and install an array that will save parishioners $12,000 in energy bills annually. The dedication event in June brought together civic leaders, business leaders, and members of the faith community to learn how they could do the same.

Per Dr. Larry Turpen: “In today’s financial market when non-profits are required by their charter to keep a prudent reserve, how much more prudent can you be than to take money out of the bank where it earns 2% and put on the roof where it can earn 15%. That is doing God’s work!”

Joe Crowley Student Union Building | University Nevada, Reno | 30kW | Completed March 2009

University students and faculty actively participated in the installation of this 30 kW array. The dedication event was used as the anchor for a three-day Green Festival on campus.  Following the dedication, Black Rock Solar Executive Director Tom Price gave the keynote address for the festival.

A student-designed software application provides real-time performance data to UNR students and faculty: http://www.unr.edu/studentunion/

Learn more about campus sustainability at UNR here: http://www.unr.edu/sustainability

“The installation on the Joe Crowley Student Union is the crown jewel on the first green building built by UNR and has set the standard we hope to continue in the future.”

Shelby High School in Shelby, Michigan

In conjunction with the Rothbury Music

Festival, Black Rock Solar installed 8kW of solar power at Shelby High School in Shelby, Michigan.

Shelby High School

• 641 N. State St. Shelby. MI
• 8 kW
• Completed July 2008

Natchez School, Wadsworth | NV 30kW | completed May 2008

During the installation of this 60 kW array, more than 20 members of the local Paiute community volunteered to help, learning first-hand about solar panel installation. The dedication event in May brought together more that half the residents in Wadsworth for a three hour celebration including a hands-on renewable energy demonstration and presentations about energy conservation and environmental stewardship.

“Going green at Natchez Elementary has been a wonderful occurance for the students in our community,” says Principal Rick Taylor. “Natchez children know first hand about renewable energy and the benefits to mother nature. The money saved on our power bills comes directly back to our school where it is much better utilized in educating our youth.”

Gerlach Schools • Gerlach, Nevada • 90 kW • Completed December 2007

Gerlach Schools, Gerlach NV

This array was built for the elementary, middle, and high schools in Gerlach, Nevada, population 450. The tiny town sits on the edge of the beautiful Black Rock Desert for which our organization is named.

The array provides more than 30% of the schools’ power, saving them almost $15,500 per year. With the money saved during the first year, the school system was able to purchase:

• New lockers for all the students
• New computer for the school secretary
• Supplemental materials for the individual classrooms
• New P.E. equipment
• Vending machines to fundraise for the Future Farmers of America to learn gardening and horticulture
• New camera for the yearbook class

“A lot of the older people in Gerlach are reticent about accepting the Burning Man event,” said Principal Carol Kaufmann. “But as a whole, the community looks at this solar array like, ‘Wow, this is a big change. You really are putting your money where you mouth is. You really do want to help the community.’”

News on this project:

lifemorenatural.com

Channel 2 KTVN News

CNET

Pershing General Hospital • 850 6th St. Lovelock, Nevada • 30 kW • Completed October 2007

Pershing General Hospital – Lovelock, NV

Pershing General Hospital is a small medical center and long-term care facility for 20 of Pershing County’s elderly residents. When this solar array was constructed in 2007, local firefighters joined the cause, helping turn bolts and building customized tools needed to install the panels. The 30kW array was one of the largest donations ever provided to the non-profit hospital.