SRP Solar for Nonprofits Program Selects Foster Care Agency AASK in Chandler to Receive a Free Solar System

As a result of its 2021 call for applications, the SRP Solar for Nonprofits program announced it selected one of the largest foster care agencies in Arizona, Aid to Adoption of Special Kids (AASK), as the recipient of a new solar system which will be located at the AASK office based in Chandler.

The donated solar system at the AASK Chandler office will be built on top of a parking lot structure, or “solar canopy,” also donated by SRP Solar for Nonprofits. The solar system will not only shade cars parked at the facility, it will also produce about 20 kilowatts (kW) of solar energy which will help the foster care agency benefit from substantial energy savings.

“Some may wonder, ‘what does solar energy have to do with child welfare?’” said Barb Trella, Director of Development at AASK Arizona. “The bottom line is that any money we save in operation costs goes right back to those we serve. Saving money allows us to focus on our mission and provide more resources to families who are building relationships with children through foster care.”

AASK was the first licensing agency in Arizona to establish a unit of family specialists dedicated solely to the unique needs of relative caregivers, and AASK makes it a key part of its mission to maintain a low ratio of families assigned to each AASK family specialist. These specialists, otherwise known as case workers, are able to then give individualized attention to each family’s needs.

The Solar for Nonprofits program is funded by SRP and customers who contribute as little as $3 a month to the SRP Solar for Nonprofits program. Since 2007, the program has awarded 52 solar systems to deserving Valley-based nonprofit organizations which SRP works to install. Collectively, the program has helped nonprofits save nearly $1 million while providing renewable, emission-free energy for their buildings. For customers interested in donating to this program to help additional nonprofits receive solar installations, they can learn more on the SRP website here: srpnet.com/solar-for-nonprofits.

“While AASK would not divert foster care funds to this type of installation, we are fully on board with the principles of responsible energy use and we value the clean, green, renewable energy that solar power provides,” said Trella. “We’re grateful our organization and the foster families we support will benefit from this clean energy resource located right out in front of our office.”

Adding more renewable resources to the community and the state of Arizona is a major objective for SRP, having recently announced it will expand utility-scale solar resources to 2,025 megawatts (MW) by the year 2025, more than double SRP’s original solar commitment made at the end of 2018.

AASK was selected from the SRP Solar for Nonprofits application period which ended on July 18, 2021. The program’s application period is currently closed though will re-open again early summer 2022. To qualify, nonprofit applicants must be designated 501(c)(3) organizations, have their headquarters based within SRP’s electric service territory and have a parking structure or a parking lot to which SRP can add a donated structure.