(L to R: Dr. Charlie Gay, Dr. Robert Lambeth and Governor Terry McAuliffe)
In late August, Alliance Group partnered with the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV) to announce the signing of multiple large-scale solar energy contracts for their member schools. CICV received funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) SunShot Initiative for a Solar Market Pathways Grant, which will help support bringing solar energy to CICV member schools.
The announcement took place at Virginia Union University, one of the four schools statewide which have signed contracts with Tesla, to install solar projects on their campus. The other three schools who participated include Lynchburg College, Randolph-Macon College and Washington & Lee University. Through their partnerships with the U.S. Department of Energy and Tesla, CICV will be able to provide its member schools with state-of-the art solar technology and educational opportunities for students to learn more about renewable energy.
Key speakers included Governor Terry McAuliffe, Dr. Charlie Gay (Solar Technologies Office Director for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy of the U.S. Department of Energy) and Dr. Robert Lambeth (President of the Council for Independent Colleges of Virginia). They joined in celebrating and highlighting the innovative efforts of Virginia’s private colleges to help put the Commonwealth on the path to a clean energy future.
To make the announcement extra special, Virginia Union University’s Marching Band, the “VUU Ambassadors of Sound,” performed as guests arrived. It was so exciting to see all 90 members of the band out to support this great event!
We were even lucky enough to be joined by a few of our favorite mascots! Randolph-Macon College’s Buzz the Yellow Jacket, Virginia Union University’s Panther and Lynchburg College’s Dell the Hornet had a great time mingling with students and school representatives in attendance. Even Sarah had some fun hanging out with the mascots in the holding room before the event officially kicked off!
(L to R: Virginia Union University Panther, Randolph-Macon College’s Buzz the Yellow Jacket, Sarah Huang and Lynchburg College’s Dell the Hornet)