January 07, 2008 12:00 ET

Oakland's Head-Royce School to Unveil Solar Electric Power System as Part of Its Green Initiative

Community Event Will Feature Keynote Address From Professor Dan Kammen, a Leading Alternative Energy Expert and a Head-Royce Parent, About the Importance of Renewable Energy and Incorporating "Green" Thinking Into the Curriculum

BERKELEY, CA--(Marketwire - January 7, 2008) - Head-Royce School, an independent, coeducational, college preparatory K-12 day school in Oakland, today announced the completion of a 412-panel solar electric system that will offset more than 35 percent of the school's current electricity usage. The system, installed by Borrego Solar Systems, Inc., will be officially unveiled and activated during a community event held at Head-Royce on Thursday, January 10, 2007 at 11:25 a.m. PST.

"Today, environmental issues are among the most serious facing our nation, and taking positive steps to make Head-Royce a model green school is simply the right thing to do," said Paul Chapman, head of school at Head-Royce. "We want to help our students understand the challenges we face in environmental sustainability, and going solar is one of the most important components in this effort. We are proud to have U.C. Berkeley Professor Dan Kammen and Borrego Solar as part of this initiative."

The solar panels are the latest initiative put in place by Head-Royce's "Green Council," a group founded in 2006 designed to help its 800 students -- as well as faculty, parents and the community at large -- be more environmentally conscious. Other initiatives implemented at Head-Royce include expanded recycling and composting, a school vegetable garden and integrating "green" thinking into the curriculum. As a testament to the Green Council, Head-Royce is only the third school in Alameda County to be certified as a green business.

"Environmental responsibility goes hand-in-hand with education, and Borrego Solar is proud to be a part of Head-Royce's commitment to its students, faculty and the surrounding community," said Mike Hall, president of Borrego Solar. "It is becoming easier and more advantageous for schools to pursue alternative energy options and promote 'going green.' As energy costs continue to rise we anticipate that many more schools will take this bold step."

Event Details:

What:  Head-Royce School unveiling of new solar energy installation

Who:   Dr. Dan Kammen, professor at U.C. Berkeley (keynote address)
       Paul Chapman, head of school at Head-Royce
       Head-Royce student and faculty speakers

Where: Head-Royce School, 4315 Lincoln Ave., Oakland

When:  Thursday, January 10, 2008 from 11:25 a.m.-12:10 p.m. PST

Media interested in attending the event -- or speaking with Dr. Kammen, a Borrego Solar executive or Head-Royce faculty or students prior to the event -- can contact Schwartz Communications at (415) 512-0770 or borregosolar@schwartz-pr.com.

About Head-Royce School

Head-Royce School is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school with classes from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The School offers students a challenging program in the liberal arts and sciences in a supportive environment. Founded in 1887 in Berkeley, California as the Anna Head School for Girls, it relocated in 1964 to a spacious campus in Oakland. The Josiah Royce School for Boys opened at an adjacent site in 1971 as a coordinate school. Since 1979 the School has been fully coeducational. The School is committed to a program of excellence, one which provides opportunities for the intellectual and personal development of each student. The School strives to nurture the student's imagination, creativity, and love of learning. As one of the few independent, K-12 schools in the East Bay, Head-Royce seeks to instill in its students a strong sense of community and social responsibility. For more information, visit www.headroyce.org.

About Borrego Solar

Established in 1980, Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. is one of the nation's leading designers and installers of commercial, residential and public sector grid-connected solar electric power systems. Borrego Solar's photovoltaic systems are efficient, reliable and cost-effective. With more than two decades of experience and over 500 installations, Borrego Solar offers a complete line of design and installation services throughout California and New England. For more information, visit www.borregosolar.com.