Texas Discovery Gardens Now Powered by Solar Array

Texas Discovery Gardens is turning over a new leaf and becoming even more sustainable through a new solar array, funded by a $50,000 grant from the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club.

The 410-square-foot solar array will power the garden’s Natural Learning Center and will produce an estimated 8,400 kilowatt-hours annually, which will save Texas Discovery Gardens more than 252,000 kilowatt-hours over the panels’ 30-year life span. The new solar array enhances the non-profit’s initiatives to preserve the environment and protect Texas wildlife.

“As the first public garden in the state to be certified organic by the Texas Organic Research Center, we strive to maintain our gardens sustainably in as many ways as we can,” said Texas Discovery Gardens Executive Director Dick Davis. “We are grateful to the Sun Club for providing us with the funding so we can incorporate this new solar array into our green initiatives. It will help us better serve our community as stewards of our environment.”

Since the Sun Club’s founding in 2002, the non-profit has donated more than $740,000 to solar projects in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and the solar installation at Texas Discovery Gardens marks the 81st solar project donated by the program. Contributions to the Sun Club come from Green Mountain Energy Company and its residential customers, employees and supporters who believe in the program’s mission to support local non-profit organizations through solar and sustainability projects.

“The Sun Club works with many great non-profits, and Texas Discovery Gardens is no exception. When they first applied for this renewable technology donation, we were inspired by the gardens’ sustainability initiatives and knew they would be a perfect fit for this project,” said Tony Napolillo, executive director of the Sun Club. “The gardens’ new solar panels will bring even more light to this natural wonder.”