Valley of the Sun YMCA, Scout Solar, LLC, Centrosolar America, and the City of Scottsdale have celebrated the deployment of 66.55 kilowatts of solar power as part of a 1.6 MW, multi-YMCA project that promises to generate 10 to 80 percent of each facility's electrical consumption over the next 20 years, depending on the location.

"We could not be more excited to activate a new era of sustainability for the YMCA throughout Arizona," said George Scobas, President and CEO of the Sun YMCA.

"Our partnership with Scout Solar and Centrosolar will substantially reduce our energy costs, so that we are able to continue our standard of bringing excellent, affordable programs to our local communities," said Scobas.

The ribbon cutting ceremony, held at the Scottsdale Valley of the Sun YMCA branch, joined Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane with local business leaders to celebrate Arizona's oldest non-profit organization's commitment to solar generated energy.

"I applaud the YMCA's commitment to alternative energy. By committing to solar power, they not only demonstrate sustainability to the children and families they serve, they also extend the power of every dollar. A project like this means that the community will be better served, and that's what matters most," said Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane.

The project will include more than 6,200 solar modules, mostly coming from Centrosolar America, mounted on rooftops and shade canopies across 16 Valley of the Sun YMCA facilities in Arizona and will generate more than 2,700,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually when fully completed at the end of the summer.

Solar has already been installed at six locations and will be in place at the majority of YMCA facilities in the state when the projects are all completed, including: Ahwatukee, Chris-Town, Chandler/Gilbert, Desert Foothills, East Valley, Glendale/Peoria, Goodyear, Maryvale Scottsdale/Paradise Valley, South Mountain, Tempe, and the main Lincoln Family Downtown YMCA.

It will also include Chauncey Ranch, near Mayer, Camp Sky-Y near Prescott and the Flagstaff branch in northern Arizona.

Scout Solar is installing the solar systems with no out of pocket costs for the Valley of the Sun YMCA. Scout Solar, along with a group of private investors, will also own and operate the systems. The project was made possible, in part, by solar incentives from SRP and APS.

"Through this solar installation, the YMCA is planning for the future by reducing electricity costs and locking in consistent, long-term savings," said Scout Solar Project Administrator, Michael Norris.

Bringing together best-in-class project partners, Scout Solar teamed with Centrosolar America and other suppliers who provided the solar modules and system components, with Solar Energy Group for system design, Wang Electric on the electrical installation and Skyline Steel to construct the shade canopies and racking.

"Thirteen of the projects will be equipped with our E-Series panels that utilize polycrystalline high-efficiency silicon cells to generate higher power output per module. This PV module configuration also meets the highest industry standards for resisting intense heat as is typical in the Arizona climate," said Centrosolar Director of Sales, Chris Wood.