Energy Cost Savings To Be Invested Into AAYTE Programs For Young People

PHILADELPHIA, PA, October 18, 2011 – Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education (AAYTE) today marked an important milestone in its history when it “switched on” a new $1.6 million solar power energy system, eventually providing a 50 percent energy savings, which will be used to support programs for thousand of young people from the Philadelphia area.

“Our move to solar power will allow us to reallocate precious resources from energy costs to program expansion,” said Kenny Holdsman, AAYTE President. “This Green project will reduce our environmental impact while increasing our ability to help many urban kids at a time when they and their families are counting on us more than ever.”

The cutting-edge solar project involves the installation of nearly 1,200 solar panels on two of the AAYTE Center’s roofs, taking up 25,000 square feet. The project is expected to generate over 350,000 kilowatt hours in the first year of production. It will satisfy more than half of AAYTE’s electricity consumption, potentially saving the nonprofit hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of the solar panels’ 25-year warranty life.

Holdsman said the money saved will be invested into tennis, education and leadership development programs for thousands of young people, many from disadvantaged neighborhoods, who participate in AAYTE’s year-round programs in Philadelphia and Camden.

“I want to thank the entire Facilities Committee of our Board for their leadership and persistence, especially Bob Brasler, a longtime AAYTE champion who spearheaded the Building Committee when the AAYTE Center was constructed,” Holdsman said. “I must also thank our advisor Stephen Mitnick, the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA), PECO’s “Smart Ideas” program, the City of Philadelphia’s Law Department, and all of the people from UGI Performance Solutions who were essential to making the project a reality.”

AAYTE received a $393,000 grant from PEDA over 15 months ago when the project originated. After taking on an initial partner, governmental and market conditions changes occurred in renewable energy tax credits and the project came to a temporary halt.

UGI Performance Solutions, of Colmar, PA, and AAYTE entered into a partnership to provide solar power. The AAYTE project is the first nonprofit solar energy partnership for UGI Performance Solutions.

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