Free the Sun: Black Rock Solar energizes the University of Nevada Reno

Free the Sun: Black Rock Solar energizes the University of Nevada Reno

Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel non-profit partner Black Rock Solar has created a 30kW Solar Array on the roof of the Joe Crowley Student Union at the University of Nevada Reno. Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel donates $25 per traveler to support Black Rock Solar projects throughout Nevada.

Why has Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel partnered with Black Rock Solar? Black Rock Solar is a non-profit with a simple goal: take on climate change, and speed the adoption curve of renewable energy by building low or no cost solar power in unlikely places.

We believe if we’re going to solve the climate crisis, everyone has to be part of the solution, which is why they are installing renewable energy at schools, hospitals, and other public buildings in places that would otherwise never be able to afford it.

CLICK HERE FOR HIGH RESOLUTION SLIDESHOW

Black Rock Solar allows the schools and medical clinics keep all the money they save to support their communities as they see fit.

Why Black Rock Solar vs. buying carbon offsets? Carbon offsets may become an important contribution to the fight against global climate change. However, the carbon offset marketplace is still developing -slowed down by a lack of transparent standards.

“It’s hard to understand how donating $20 to a carbon offset firm using their ‘proprietary calculator,’ can make it OK to drive/fly from A to B, and define it as “carbon neutral.”

Black Rock Solar has a different approach: they build solar power -lots of it, and they do it for less than anyone else, which allows them to build even more! When Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel donates cash to Black Rock Solar we know exactly where our money is going -and we can walk up to the panel we helped fund and install

.

“In concrete terms, Black Rock Solar has an unbeatable return on investment, turning every $1 donated into $15 of clean green solar value.”

Here’s how: It costs BRS around $6 to build a watt of solar power, and they can get $5 of that in rebates from the public utility in Nevada. Then they match that with $3 in donated labor value, and it turns into $6 in free green energy over the life of the system.

“Every Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel $1 leverages $5 in rebates, and $3 in donated labor, to create $6 in free energy; 1+5+3+6= $15! Try finding that kind of ROI on Wall Street these days!”

Who are the people Black Rock Solar and Exquisite Safaris help? Like ES, BRS works almost exclusively in rural areas that tend to be economically disadvantaged -and certainly off the map when it comes to high dollar renewable energy projects -but that’s exactly why we need to be there.

For decades, the only people that have had renewable energy have been either large institutions with deep pockets, or the wealthy. But as Al Gore stated July 17, 2008 we need every single part of our society engaged in the fight against climate change. By changing the face of renewable energy, we’ll make it accessible to hundreds of communities that would otherwise never consider it. After all, if Gerlach, Nevada can go green, anyone can!

Is it working?
To answer that, just check with any of the communities BRS has helped so far. To date, the solar power they have built will generate over $1,000,000 in savings for those communities over the next 25 years -money that sustains communities in ways those communities decide they need it most.

It’s that kind of impact that made People Magazine choose Black Rock Solar as one of three “Environmental Heroes” for 2008 -and they are just getting started.

Donate to Black Rock Solar!

Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel announces Americans helping Americans Philanthropic Travel (probono): Leaving the Mines Behind Empowering Appalachia: May 31 to June 7, 2009

Learn More:
Black Rock Solar: University of Nevada Reno Installation
Exquisite Safaris partners with Black Rock Solar
Native American Elementary School gets Free Solar Installation
Journey to 100% Zero-Carbon Electricity in 10 Years
Collaboration creates Prosperity: Philanthropic Travel
An American Dream: Burning Man
Global Cooling?
The Wisdom of Stone Soup
Travel Connoisseur Magazine on Exquisite Safaris
Exquisite Safaris clients say…

Philanthropic Travelers:
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“If you are coming to help me, you are wasting your time but if you are coming because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” -Indigenous Saying

Philanthropic Travel: Enlightened Experiences

The Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel experience integrates indigenous local culture into every personalized experience we recommend. These personal introductions create authentic cross cultural friendships that generate trust, respect, and generous donations funding philanthropic travel projects worldwide.

~ by philanthropictravel on October 30, 2008.