Monday, August 10, 2015

SunPower and Freedom Solar Bring Clean Energy to Sustainable Food Center in Austin, TX

AUSTIN, TX --(eSolarEnergyNews)-- SunPower and SunPower Elite Dealer Freedom Solar announced today the completion of a 14 kilowatt solar power system for Austin's Sustainable Food Center at a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Mayor Steve Adler.

Sustainable Food Center cultivates a healthy community by strengthening the local food system and improving access to nutritious, affordable food. The nonprofit organization hosts four farmers markets, provides organic food gardening classes, interactive cooking classes and nutrition education, and supports area farmers', all in the Austin area.

"Through our programs we work to get local, sustainably grown food into the hands of more people every day, which improves individual, environmental and economic health, and provides critical support for local family farms," said Ronda Rutledge, executive director of Sustainable Food Center. "We're grateful to SunPower and Freedom Solar for their generous donation, and expect the system to offset about 25 percent of our electrical usage and reduce our electricity costs by 40 percent or more. This will allow us to use those savings to enhance programs that the community has come to rely on for access to healthy and affordable food."

The donated solar power system is composed of 36 high-efficiency SunPower® solar panels, the most efficient and reliable solar panels available on the market today. Freedom Solar employees volunteered their time to design and install the system. Operating since 2007, Freedom Solar, a SunPower Elite Dealer, has installed over 11 megawatts of solar panels for residential and corporate customers in the Austin area including Whole Foods, Office Depot and the University of Texas.

"We believe in providing a healthy environment across Texas," said Adrian Buck of Freedom Solar. "We're proud to partner with SunPower to give back to the community and provide a healthy, clean environment across Central Texas."  

"SunPower leads the industry in environmental sustainability, and we're pleased to help the Sustainable Food Center continue cultivating a healthy community and supporting sustainable farming here in our own backyard," said Mike Kienitz, vice president supply chain operations at SunPower. "We look forward to this donation having a long-lasting impact in Austin, which more than 250 SunPower employees are proud to live and work."

SunPower, a global solar technology and services company, has had offices in Austin since 20

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