February 2, 2011

MEDIA ADVISORY

HARC, PISD & Ignite Solar To Hold February 15 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Construction Completed for Largest Solar Installation in the Greater Houston Area

Real-World Learning Laboratory for Students Up and Running

WHAT: A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held February 15 to celebrate the system start-up of the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC), Pasadena Independent School District (PISD) and Ignite Solar, LLC project to demonstrate the effective use of solar technologies in a public school environment. The "Pasadena ISD Solar Initiative," features three different solar technologies totaling approximately 145kW, installed at PISD’s Sam Rayburn High School and South Houston High School. The project represents one of the largest solar installations in the Houston area and for a public school system in the State of Texas.

Featuring three diverse solar technologies including an innovative cylindrical solar panel 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. HARC, PISD, and Ignite Solar invite media to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony, interview participants, and film/photograph the solar technologies, the inverters, the solar awning and the educational kiosk.

WHEN: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 15, 2011

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 teaching theater.

WHO: 
Dr. Richard Haut, Senior Research Scientist, Houston Advanced Research Center
Dr. Kirk Lewis, Superintendent, Pasadena Independent School District
Peter Mathey, President and CEO, Ignite Solar, LLC
Ken Kramer, Director, Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club
Luke Metzger, Director, Environment Texas

VISUALS: Samples of solar panel technologies, video of construction, students displaying solar projects that they have worked on this year, walking tour to see the educational kiosk, the solar awning and the inverter rooms, and informational booths covering solar technologies, education and outreach activities, program partners and sponsors. *There will be no access to the walking tour after 11:30 a.m.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Lizabeth Price/HARC (512) 879-8291 or (281) 364-4059 lprice@harc.edu
Grace Blasingame/Pasadena ISD (713) 398-6305 gblasingame@pasadenaisd.org
Lorie Clements/Ignite Solar (281) 953-9020 x102 lclements@ignitesolar.com

 see also: 

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Invitation

PISD.HARC.edu