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Downtown San Jose's iconic purple museum is going green. Clean energy, education, and job training are uniting four local partners on a mission to save energy, educate youth, and rebuild lives. SunPower®, one of the world's most innovative and sustainable companies, is donating 90 solar panels to Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose, and one of the Bay Area's leading solar installers and a SunPower Elite Dealer, Clean Solar, is providing installation services with the help of students from San Jose Conservation Corps, a nonprofit that helps young people get their high school diploma while learning valuable work and life skills. This partnership is part of a larger story unfolding in clean energy that is finding solutions to address climate crisis and income equality.
On June 29 at 11 a.m., Clean Solar technicians and young trainees from the Corps will be joined by San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo as the team continues its installation of SunPower® panels on the roof of the museum's new fabrication facility, the "Builder Building," where hands-on exhibits are built. The museum estimates it will save between $6,000 and $7,000 annually in energy costs, the companies benefit from being introduced to potential new recruits, and the youth receive valuable training with the opportunity to showcase their skills and work ethic to potential employers.
"We're grateful for these donations from Clean Solar and SunPower.The panels will cover 50 percent of the costs to power the museum's 'Builder Building,' and will be part of future environmental education programs," said Marilee Jennings, the executive director of Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose. "To see this project come together in support of the museum's 'Environmental Stewardship commitment,' and also advance a job training program for disadvantaged youth, is incredibly rewarding for us."
"The passion for innovation, creativity and discovery sparks at an early age," said Mayor Sam Liccardo. "The partnership created today – among SunPower, Clean Solar, the San Jose Conservation Corps, and Children's Discovery Museum -- gives us the opportunity to pique the interests of our youth, while also supplying renewable energy to the museum. In this way, we inspire passionate children and limit carbon emissions. Overall, it's a terrific demonstration of how partnerships help the city accomplish its goals in new ways."
"At SunPower, our team works every day to help change the way our world is powered with our innovative, leading technology and solar solutions," said Doug Richards, executive vice president, administration at SunPower. "The Children's Discovery Museum's solar installation project is a great example of our ability to power an important learning facility in our back yard, educate visitors on environmental stewardship and teach those entering the workforce important skills in a growing sector."
(Photo Credit: Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose)