Direct Global Power (DGP) of Niskayuna, NY and SunShine Plus have joined together to bring Photovoltaics (PV) to the historical DRYADES YMCA facility in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The system was originally scheduled to be installed in October 2005 but the installation was delayed when Hurricane Katrina hit.

For nearly 100 years, the New Orleans Dryades YMCA has worked in the community to develop and implement innovative programs and provide services for children, families and young adults. The hub of these programs was housed in a historic facility built in 1905 on Dryades St.

After a major fire destroyed the YMCA’s historic home in February 2000, a Capital Fund Raising Leadership Team was formed and the journey to build a new physical structure began. The new facility, which opened November 14th, 2005, spans over 48,000 square feet. Recently, a new feature added to the building was a 20-kW photovoltaic (PV) solar energy system.

The Dryades YMCA system is the second largest PV installation in New Orleans. This energy-saving initiative will provide emergency power to light the facility’s 3,000-square-foot multi-purpose room, which will be utilized by both students and community in the event of an emergency.

The installation will also serve as an educational tool for students of the Singleton Charter School and youth involved in YMCA programs. The Dryades YMCA has worked for almost 100 years in the New Orleans community to develop and implement innovative programs and provide services for children, families and young adults. The hub of these programs was housed in an historic facility built in 1905 on Dryades Street.

The DRYADES YMCA facility received a generous donations from local businesses in the form of a 20 kW PV system with battery back-up. The system will provide the facility with lower electricity bills will provide back-up power in case of emergency.

The system was installed by Sunshine Plus, a leading New York based solar engineering company. With the back-up battery bank, the system will provide the facility with running water, air circulation and lights for a short period of time in the event of an emergency as a part of DGP’s “RESTARTTM” program.

“The system, which will provide emergency power to key electrical loads, will provide a much needed sense of security in a town that has been through so many unsure times,” said Mark Ranalli, General Manager of DGP. The PV system, which is in its final stage of completion, is a welcomed addition to the already esteemed historical landmark making it a beacon to the community.

DGP is a New York based consulting company focused on renewable energy market development programs. The “RESTARTTM” program is a DGP initiative that combines a unique financing mechanism with photovoltaic products and system in a program targeting critical energy services during extended power outages following natural or man-made disasters.

The stakeholders in the program are the utility industry, emergency management organizations, commercial business and government agencies and private individuals and organizations.