Construction Junction unveils new rooftop solar system installed with help from $245,000 Green Mountain Energy Sun Club® grant

The project, also supported by local organizations PA Solar Center, Bridgeway Capital and EIS Solutions, will be unveiled in a sunny celebration to “flip the switch” on solar energy. 

Pittsburgh, PA – September 25, 2024, Construction Junction was joined by Green Mountain Energy Sun Club®, and the PA Solar Center to “flip the switch” on its brand-new rooftop solar energy system, thanks to a $245,000 grant from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club® and a $210,650 loan from Bridgeway Capital.

The 203.58 kW solar energy system, installed by local developer EIS Solutions, will produce about 217,000kWh and reduce the facility's electricity bill by 83 percent. EIS estimates the system will save the company $643,692 over 25 years.

“Construction Junction is dedicated to conserving resources through building material reuse, powering our operation with sustainable, affordable solar energy is a great fit,” said Mike Gable, Executive Director of Construction Junction. “Thanks to the Green Mountain Sun Club grant, solar is going to help us save money on our electric bill, dramatically reduce our carbon footprint and, hopefully, inspire our community to participate in the transition to a clean energy future”.

With help from customers and employees, Green Mountain Energy Sun Club® has advanced sustainability by donating more than $14 million to 164 nonprofit organizations across Texas and the Northeast. Sun Club® supports projects related to renewable energy, sustainability education and environmental stewardship.

“We are honored to support Construction Junction with this grant and help them continue the great work they are doing in this community – now under a roof generating clean, renewable energy,” said Johnny Richardson, program manager for Green Mountain Energy Sun Club®. “Our grants are made possible thanks to a one-of-a-kind model that links communities and Green Mountain Energy together to support sustainability solutions with renewable energy at the heart of the program.”

The $245,000 grant from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club® unlocked tax credits available under the 2023 Inflation Reduction Act signed by the Biden administration. These tax credits are expected to put money back in Construction Junction’s pockets and back into the community it serves.

A $210,650 loan from Bridgeway Capital also helped Construction Junction move forward with the installation.

“There are incredible opportunities to leverage grants, tax credits, and financing to make the transition to renewable energy possible. Still, the upfront cost of installing solar panels can be a considerable investment for nonprofit organizations. Bridgeway’s Green Energy Loan provides flexible financing to bridge funding gaps and keep installation moving forward so that organizations can benefit from the cost-savings of lower utility bills while incentives are being secured,” says T.J. Bogdewic, President and CEO of Bridgeway Capital. “We are proud to partner with the PA Solar Center, Green Mountain Energy, and EIS Solutions to support Construction Junction with resources to make the switch to solar.”

“With energy bills rising an average of 40-50 percent over the past few years, along with the incentives of the Inflation Reduction Act, we are seeing countless customers make significant savings by flipping the switch to solar,” said Joe Morinville, President of EIS Solutions. “We congratulate Construction Junction for having the vision and resolve to achieve this milestone and move their organization into the clean energy economy.”

Construction Junction went solar through the PA Solar Center’s GET Solar program, which provides free technical assistance and financial guidance to businesses and organizations looking to go solar.

“The PA Solar Center hopes Construction Junction will serve as an inspiration to other area businesses and organizations considering making the switch to solar,” said Leo Kowalski, Program Director of the PA Solar Center. “It was an honor to help this local, respected company plan a path forward to making the clean energy transition and saving money that will be better spent reinvesting in their company.”

Solar energy is the fastest growing energy in the country and is saving businesses, nonprofits, communities, and residents thousands of dollars in utility bills. Businesses that go solar are hedging against volatile electricity pricing because once the upfront equipment costs are paid, the cost of solar is free.

ABOUT CONSTRUCTION JUNCTION
Over the last 25 years, CJ has provided building material waste diversion services, public recycling services and retail access to low-cost used building materials for thousands of renovation projects. Our retail space is a unique mix of building materials including gently used, historic, vintage and surplus serving the needs of a wide variety of home renovators from DIYer’s to professional remodelers, low-income homeowners/renters, historic restoration contractors and small business owners. We have recorded over 700,000 transactions of over six million building components—doors, windows, plumbing fixtures, hardware, lumber and more. Our free drop off, pick up and deconstruction services are utilized by architects, contactors, developers, institutions like PITT, CMU, and UPMC, local municipalities, small businesses and homeowners committed to keeping materials out of the waste stream. We work with a variety of nonprofit partners sharing revenue from our retail operation, providing jobs and training opportunities to those with barriers to employment and providing space for environmental and arts programing.

ABOUT GREEN MOUNTAIN ENERGY COMPANY
Green Mountain Energy is the nation’s longest serving renewable energy retailer, on a mission to inspire hope and motivate action through the use of clean energy. Green Mountain Energy offers consumers and businesses the choice of cleaner electricity products from renewable sources, as well as a variety of carbon offset products and sustainable solutions for businesses. Collectively, Green Mountain Energy customers have helped avoid more than 107 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions to date. Green Mountain Energy is lighting the path to a brighter future by supporting the sustainable projects of nonprofits through our charitable program, Green Mountain Energy Sun Club. To learn more about Green Mountain Energy, visit greenmountainenergy.com.

ABOUT THE PENNSYLVANIA SOLAR CENTER
The PA Solar Center is a 501c3 nonprofit organization with the mission to expand the benefits of solar to all Pennsylvanians. The Center offers technical assistance to non-profit organizations, businesses, and communities to help them go solar, savvy media communications and online resources for all solar stakeholders, and education for decision-makers and advocates about the benefits of robust solar policy. The PA Solar Center provides an online directory of qualified solar developers, a map of notable solar installations, a monthly solar webinar series, and a listing of solar events happening across the state. Learn more at www.pasolarcenter.org.

ABOUT EIS SOLUTIONS
Energy Independent Solutions is trusted by hundreds of residences, businesses, farms and municipal buildings throughout Pittsburgh, Western Pennsylvania and beyond for Solar Power. We are a local Pittsburgh company with a track record of high-quality solar installations, solar service and the best solar field performance rating in the industry. With EIS, you will receive an in-depth solar energy education, assessment, and recommendation for a great return on your investment. We make it easy to go solar. Learn more at www.eissolar.com.

ABOUT BRIDGEWAY CAPITAL
Bridgeway Capital is a mission-driven lender, a nonprofit alternative to banks that lends to small businesses, nonprofits, and real estate projects that have a positive community impact. As a Community Development Financial institution (CDFI), Bridgeway is certified by the U.S. Treasury. Since 1990, Bridgeway has invested more than $275 million in communities across the region, with over 90% of the funding provided to low-income communities. Bridgeway is committed to inclusive green financing, with Green Energy Loan products available to finance solar projects and energy efficiency upgrades that help communities overcome environmental justice issues. For more information, visit www.bridgewaycapital.org.

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Media Contacts: 
Gretchen Dlugolecki, Rapport Communications
401-301-0138
gretchen@rapportcommunications.org

Dan McCunney, Green Mountain Energy
484-832-6233
media@greenmountain.com