Solar array will be installed on educational vehicle that promote nutritious, locally grown food for largest urban farmers market network in the U.S.

NEW YORK – Green Mountain Energy Company and its customers are helping a New York City Greenmarket farmers market harness the power of the sun with a $16,599 donation to outfit an educational van with solar panels. GrowNYC, organizer of Greenmarket, the nation’s largest urban farmers market network, will soon run its education station with solar power provided by the Green Mountain Energy^TM Sun Club^TM. The station will enable visitors to learn not only about the benefits of sustainable farming but also sustainable energy.

“We were so excited to hear about our selection to receive the solar donation from the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club,” said Michael Hurwitz, Director of Greenmarket. “Greenmarket ensures that New Yorkers have access to the freshest and healthiest food in the region. To be able to educate customers on this mission as we cook with solar power really brings things full circle.”

The donation will go towards a new solar array on a Union Square Greenmarket vehicle that is used at events where Greenmarket staff show audiences simple ways to buy, prepare and cook farm-fresh products while educating customers about sustainable, small-scale farming in the region where they live. This installation will provide a cleaner source of power for these interactive learning experiences. Information about solar energy will accompany the van via signage near the Greenmarket set-up in Union Square.

“GrowNYC does a magnificent job of positively impacting the global environment through sustainable agriculture education,” said Paul Markovich, president, Green Mountain Energy Company Residential Services. “Green Mountain is pleased to give back to non-profits that work diligently to make the world a healthier place.”

Green Mountain presented the check to David Hughes, Operations Manager for the Union Square Greenmarket on behalf of the Sun Club, a voluntary program in which Green Mountain residential customers in New York can make monthly contributions toward solar generation systems for non-profits. Organizations can apply for these donations and if selected, receive a monetary donation to fund solar power installations and to educate the community on the importance of this abundant, renewable resource.                         

Solar One, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing education and resources on sustainable living, will install the array.

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About GrowNYC

GrowNYC is a hands-on non-profit which improves New York City’s quality of life through environmental programs that transform communities block by block and empower all New Yorkers to secure a clean and healthy environment for future generations.

For over 30 years, GrowNYC’s Greenmarket staff, volunteers and farmers have been working together to promote regional agriculture, preserve farmland and ensure a continuing supply of fresh, local produce for all New Yorkers.

To learn more about GrowNYC’s Greenmarket, gardening, recycling and education programs, visit www.growNYC.org.

Green Mountain Energy^TM Sun Club^TM 

Green Mountain Energy^TM Sun Club^TM is a program where Green Mountain residential customers have the opportunity to give back to deserving non-profit organizations through the promotion of solar power. Direct monthly contributions from customers go toward the funding of solar installations. Since the program’s founding in 2002, Sun Club members have helped install almost 500kW of solar power, preventing over 3.3 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. That equals 3.6 million miles not driven or 8.1 million aluminum cans recycled. For more information, visit www.gmsunclub.com

Green Mountain Energy Company

Green Mountain, the nation’s leading competitive retail provider of cleaner energy and carbon offset solutions, was founded in 1997 to “change the way power is made.” The company is the longest serving green power marketer in the U.S. Green Mountain offers consumers and businesses the choice of cleaner electricity products from renewable sources, such as wind, as well as a variety of carbon offset products. Green Mountain’s largest customer is the “world’s most famous office building,” the Empire State Building in New York City. Green Mountain customers have collectively helped avoid over 14.8 billion pounds of CO2 emissions. As a wholly owned subsidiary of NRG Energy (NYSE:NRG), Green Mountain is backed by one of the nation’s largest renewable power producers. For more information, visit www.GreenMountain.com.