May 18, 2010
MEDIA ADVISORY
HARC and PISD To Kick-Off East Harris County Solar Pilot Program
Largest Solar Project for Houston Deploys 145kW, Cutting Edge Technologies
and Real-World Learning Laboratory for Students
WHAT: Official Official launch of Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) and Pasadena Independent School District (PISD) project to demonstrate the effective use of solar technologies in a public school environment. The "East Harris County Solar Pilot Program," which includes three different solar technologies totaling approximately 145kW, will be installed at PISD’s Sam Rayburn High School and South Houston High School. Upon completion it will be one of the largest planned solar rooftop installations in the Houston area and for a public school system in the State of Texas.
Featuring an innovative cylindrical solar panel that will be used for the first time in the Houston area, the project will allow students to learn and work with scientists and engineers to track, monitor and analyze data related to the benefits of diverse power technologies. In conjunction with Ignite Solar, HARC and PISD invite media to attend the launch, interview participants, and film/photograph where solar panels will be installed and supporting materials.
WHEN: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 from 10:00 - 10:45 a.m.
WHERE: Sam Rayburn High School, 2121 Cherrybrook Ln., Pasadena, TX 77502
(Use the west entrance at the corner of Burke Rd. and Cherrybrook Ln. to enter the press conference area which will be held in the parking lot (or, in case of rain, the foyer.)
WHO: Dr. Richard Haut, Senior Research Scientist, Houston Advanced Research Center
Dr. Kirk Lewis, Superintendent, Pasadena Independent School District
Grace Blasingame, Science Department Chair, Sam Rayburn High School
Peter Mathey, President and CEO, Ignite Solar
VISUALS: Samples of solar panel technologies to be deployed, students displaying solar projects that they have worked on this year, rooftop and awning locations for panel installations, location for education kiosk
*There will be no access to solar panel installation locations after 11 a.m.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Lizabeth Price/HARC (281) 364-4059 lprice@harc.edu
Mark Kramer/Pasadena ISD (713) 740-0186 mkramer@pasadenaisd.org
Shanta Mauney or Claire Caton/Ward Creative (for Ignite Solar)
(713) 869-0707 smauney@wardcc.com or ccaton@wardcc.com