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BRANTFORD, ON, June 2 /CNW/ – Pauline Johnson Collegiate & Vocational School (PJC&VS) is pleased to invite the media and the public on June 8, 2010 to witness firsthand the dawn of a greener, cleaner era for Grand Erie schools. The event marks the official launch of the Board’s new solar-energy program.
Grand Erie is both one of the first school boards, and the largest board to date in Canada, to retrofit its rooftops with solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. In partnership with Ameresco Canada Inc., the Board’s longtime school-renewal and green-energy partner, Grand Erie is preparing to further reduce its carbon footprint through the Ontario Power Authority’s Feed-in Tariff (OPA FIT) program. It is anticipated that 23 selected schools will provide enough solar energy to power approximately 385 homes annually, while generating revenue for the Board, which will then be used to support student achievement.
Grand Erie, has a long-term commitment to employing “green” practices, and continually promotes conservation practices throughout the system and in the community. Students and staff already help to reduce energy and water waste: they also recycle, compost and actively participate in Earth Hour and other environmentally-focused activities. The June 8 date for the event was timed to celebrate World Environment Day, which takes place on June 5.
The benefits of solar power go beyond providing a guaranteed revenue stream by offering an educational component and other community benefits.