RE-volv Solar Ambassador fellows help LifeLine Animal Project achieve their long-standing goal of transitioning to clean energy.
Atlanta, Georgia - March 30 – Today, LifeLine Animal Project, the state’s largest animal welfare organization, in partnership with RE-volv and its Georgia Tech Solar Ambassador chapter, celebrated the installation of their new 200kW solar system. With solar, LifeLine will save $1.6 million on their electrical bills over the life of the system which they will re-invest in their animal welfare services and avoid emissions equivalent to removing more than 1,000 gas-powered vehicles from the road for a year. The celebration consisted of a solar ribbon cutting ceremony with a brief speaking program, featuring remarks from Chandra Farley, Chief Sustainability Officer of the City of Atlanta, as well as a solar themed pet adoption day.
“LifeLine Animal Project is thrilled to participate in this solar power initiative which will not only benefit the environment but will also allow us to help more animals in the long run,” said Tracy Thompson, Shelter Director with Lifeline Animal Project.
To ensure a just transition to a clean energy-powered economy, the United States government has created strong tax incentives for nonprofits to go solar. Yet, over 1.5 million national nonprofits, like LifeLine, face persistent barriers to getting their solar projects financed. Through harnessing RE-volv’s solar financing model, LifeLine and over 70 other nonprofits to date are saving up to 15% per month on their electrical bills, while inspiring others in their communities to go solar.
RE-volv Solar Ambassador fellows from Georgia Institute of Technology led initial outreach efforts over two years ago to make this project possible. Through RE-volv’s year-long fellowship program, over 400 ambassadors nationally have gained real-world experience conducting outreach with local nonprofits interested in going solar. Ambassadors are trained through exclusive solar education curriculum, lead RE-volv’s solar project development process, plan sustainability events on their campus, and are connected with leading solar employers.
“As a student with a growing passion for renewable energy, the Solar Ambassador program looked like the perfect way to get experience with solar and simultaneously make a difference in my community - indeed it was!” shared Ella, former president of Georgia Tech’s Solar Ambassador chapter. “Through the LifeLine project, it has been truly remarkable to witness that potential realized, creating something spectacular for our community, planet, and Ambassadors alike.” After spearheading this project, Ella graduated and is now working as a solar energy analyst.
At the event, RE-volv in partnership with Capital Good Fund, a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), launched a special offer for Atlanta residents to go solar and support animal welfare. Residents of all income levels across the entire state can go solar with Georgia BRIGHT, Capital Good Fund’s zero-down residential solar system lease and Capital Good Fund will make a donation on residents’ behalf to LifeLine. This offer is valid through May 31, 2024. To get started and learn more about Georgia BRIGHT, please visit www.georgiabright.org. Those who close a Georgia BRIGHT lease from March 30 to April 30 will receive a $250 Visa gift card as a special offer.
“The well-researched ‘solar seeding effect’ shows that one non-residential solar installation will spark 80 residential solar installations in the next 5 years.” said Andreas Karelas, Founder and CEO of RE-volv. “We are proud to support LifeLine with this bold commitment to sustainability,
highlighting solar energy as an accessible option for residents to save money and create a greener community.”
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About LifeLine Animal Project
A nonprofit founded in 2002, LifeLine Animal Project provides lifesaving solutions to end the euthanasia of healthy and treatable animals in county shelters. LifeLine manages DeKalb and Fulton County Animal Services, where it has sustained no-kill levels, and operates two LifeLine Spay & Neuter Clinics. LifeLine provides services to over 43,000 animals annually and has performed 195,500 free and low-cost spay/neuter surgeries to date, including 61,100 stray/feral cats through its Community Cat program, metro Atlanta’s first and largest trap-neuter-return assistance program. LifeLine’s community outreach improves the quality of life for animals in the community and helps prevent pet overpopulation. LifeLine’s Community Animal Center features an adoption center and a full-service, low-cost veterinary clinic to help make pet care accessible to all. In the last twenty years, LifeLine has helped over 350,000 animals. For more information, please visit LifeLineAnimal.org or follow LifeLine on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
About RE-volv
RE-volv is a climate justice nonprofit that helps nonprofits in historically excluded communities across the country go solar, while raising awareness about equitable climate solutions, and training the next generation of clean energy leaders. To date, RE-volv has developed and financed solar projects for over 70 nonprofits in 17 states, collectively saving them $20+ Million on their electricity bills, allowing them to better serve their 50,000 beneficiaries. The 4MW+ of solar RE-volv installed to date will avoid 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the life of the systems. RE-volv is an inaugural member of the White House National Community Solar Partnership and is a member of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Innovation Network. Learn more at re-volv.org or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and X.
For immediate release
Media Contacts:
RE-volv: Tierney Sheehan, [email protected], (858) 735-1169
LifeLine Animal Project: Tiki Artist, [email protected], (404) 369-3767
