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East County News Service
April 8, 2016 (Santee) - The Boys and Girls Clubs of East County (BGCEC) has announced installation of a solar power system has been completed at its Santee clubhouse, 8820 Tamberly Way. San Diego-based Empowered Energy Solutions said its solar system costing $184,000 to install will save the Santee clubhouse $338,000 in utility costs over the next 10 years and $824,000 over the next 25 years.
“We’re looking forward to this investment resulting in a reallocation of funds from our electricity bill to our mission to provide programming and services for the children of our community,” said Forrest Higgins, CEO, BGCEC. “We also see this as a learning opportunity to help expand our kids’ knowledge of going-green and be a good example of reducing the carbon footprint.”
The solar system features 193 solar panels measuring 39-by-66 inches and covering about 3,600 square foot atop the Santee clubhouse roof. In addition to the 260-watt, poly-crystalline, black-frame photovoltaic solar panels, the system includes new HVAC controls and a LED lighting retrofit.
The system features Empowered Energy Solutions’ Guardian ™ energy monitoring and control system. The company said the Santee clubhouse marks its first installation in San Diego County of the Guardian™ system.
Without the solar system, the company estimated the BGCEC’s current monthly utility of about $3,000 would increase to $12,500 a month after 25 years with a total payout during that time of $1.9 million.
“We’re proud to help the Boys and Girls Clubs of East County reduce their cost of electricity by over 90 percent,” said Ted Torre-Bueno, president, Empowered Energy Solutions. “Our Guardian product helps our clients with a combination of energy management and self-generation.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs of East County, a chartered member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, operates five East County facilities, including: the Conrad Prebys Complex with the El Cajon Clubhouse, 1171 East Madison Ave., and El Cajon Teen Center, 1153 East Madison Ave.; Lakeside Clubhouse, 12824 Lakeshore Dr.; Brady Family La Mesa Teen Center, 7775 Junior High Dr.; and, Conrad Prebys Santee Clubhouse, 8820 Tamberly Way. Since 1961, the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County have been meeting the developmental needs of children and youth. Its mission statement: “To inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to become responsible, caring, productive citizens.”
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