Skills-Based Donation Reduces Energy Costs, Diverts Funds to Education Efforts
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Engineering and construction leader Cupertino Electric Inc. today announced that it has donated a fully designed, permitted and installed 11.28 kilowatt (kW) rooftop solar system to non-profit organization Resource Area For Teaching (RAFT). Built using union electricians and engineering and project management volunteers, the donated solar system is the result of a skills-based philanthropic effort at Cupertino Electric that works with deserving organizations that are able to leverage donated construction services to make an even greater impact.
"When Cupertino Electric offered to decrease our energy costs and increase our ability to provide educators with the innovative teaching resources they need to fuel the learning process, we jumped at the opportunity," said Grainger Marburg, chief executive officer for RAFT. "This new rooftop solar installation will allow us to not only enhance STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education for thousands of students, but it will also allow us to make a positive impact on the environment."
"We are proud to support RAFT because of the great work that it does to help make learning exciting for the next-generation of Silicon Valley leaders," said Paul Aggarwal, vice president of operations for Cupertino Electric's Energy Alternatives Division. "We are extremely excited to marry our involvement in the community with our expertise in the solar industry to bring this project to fruition. We are optimistic that this will be the first of many projects where our unique involvement benefits non-profit organizations like RAFT for the long-term."
About the RAFT Solar Project
With more than 800 megawatts (MW) of solar projects under contract to date, Cupertino Electric's experienced team designed and built the custom solar system for RAFT, which will offset seven percent (7%) of the non-profit's energy usage annually. The roof-mount solar system will be complete in less than a week and will then be interconnected to the grid to start producing power. RAFT was chosen from among several non-profit organizations to receive the donated solar system because RAFT owns its own building, has a roof capable of supporting the system and consumes an amount of energy during the year that is proportionally offset by the solar system.
About RAFT
RAFT believes that the best way to spark the love of learning for the next-generation of thinkers, innovators, problem-solvers and creators is through hands-on learning. A non-profit organization since 1994, RAFT serves 12,000 educators each year that teach more than 900,000 students. Find out more about RAFT and how to get involved at www.raft.net.
About Cupertino Electric, Inc.
Cupertino Electric Inc. is a private company headquartered in San Jose, Calif. that has provided expert engineering and construction services for a constantly evolving world for 60 years. Cupertino is ranked one of the largest specialty contractors in the nation and is renowned for designing, procuring, constructing, installing, commissioning and maintaining complex electrical systems. The company delivers custom solutions for clients in a variety of industries, including biotech, commercial, data center, education, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, retail, solar, and transmission and distribution. For more information, visit www.cei.com.
