Black Rock environmental hero

People Magazine named Black Rock Solar director Tom Price one of its “Environmental Heroes” for 2008 in its April 21 issue.

The group, a nonprofit supported by Burning Man, has already brought free solar power to Pershing General Hospital in Lovelock and students in Gerlach, located just outside of the annual site of Burning Man. Now Black Rock Solar is planning another project nearby at Natchez Elementary School on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe’s Reservation. Once the permit is approved, a 60 kilowatt solar power system is expected to generate 108,000 kw-hours each year and save about $360,000 to the school district over the next 25 years. The projects are collaborations among Black Rock Solar, MMA Renewable Ventures and rebates from Sierra Pacific Power through its SolarGenerations program.

“Solar power is crucial,” Price told People. “With it, we can take down the coal-and-oil economy one building at a time.”