The Port of Long Beach has awarded the Long Beach Rescue Mission, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of homeless children and adults, a $176,045 grant to install solar panels on its 1335 Pacific Avenue facility.

The solar array will help the Rescue Mission reduce its electricity costs, freeing up funds to support the organization's programs and services for Long Beach residents in need The solar system was designed and will be installed by ABC Solar Incorporated, a solar contractor based in southwest Los Angeles County, in mid-April 2014. It will consist of 144 American-made SolarWorld solar panels attached to three Fronius 11-kilowatt grid-tied inverters connected to the Rescue Mission's power supply.

Surplus energy will feed into the According to California Energy Commission projections, the array will annually generate 55,715 kilowatt hours of clean energy. With its electricity costs at 25 cents per kilowatt hour, the Rescue Mission has the potential to save about $14,000 each year. This savings is enough to provide lunch to more than 300,000 people over the 30-year life of the solar array.

"The savings from the solar system will go directly to our programs," said Robert Probst, director of the Long Beach Rescue Mission. "We are grateful to the City of Long Beach, Harbor Commissioners and the Port of Long Beach for this great solar project. Thank you."

ABC Solar identified the Rescue Mission as a candidate for the Port of Long Beach's Green House Gas (GHG) Grant request in 2012. "ABC Solar brought this grant to our attention and encouraged us to apply," said Steve Fleischmann, finance director for the Long Beach Rescue Mission. "As a not-for-profit service company we see lots of grants but we were surprised by the generosity that the Port of Long Beach Grant provided."

In submitting its successful grant application, the Long Beach Rescue Mission demonstrated that its solar project meets the following criteria:

1. Avoiding GHG Emissions - Solar power generation by photovoltaic panels is a guaranteed way to avoid GHG emissions. The system is expected to offset ## tons of CO2 over its lifetime.

2. Providing lasting impact - ABC Solar's solar system design and construction will provide clean power generation for 30 years.

3. Serving the community - The Long Beach Rescue Mission has been serving the community of Long Beach since 1972 by providing meals, shelter, education and rehabilitation for the needy.

4. Employing local solar businesses - ABC Solar installed its first system in Long Beach in 2001.

That system is generating electricity 13 years after its commissioning. ABC Solar will document the Long Beach Rescue Mission's solar installation with photographs and video, creating educational materials about how grid-tied solar systems work. In addition, the installation will feature a real-time monitoring system from Solare Datensysteme, which will allow Long Beach stakeholders access solar production data and local weather online.

The Rescue Mission will share its solar journey with the community by disseminating detailed information about the project on its website as well producing classroom materials based on ABC Solar 's videos and photographs.

To protect the Rescue Mission's roof, ABC Solar will use of Everroof Urethane Title 24 white-coating roofing method to securely fasten solar mounting jacks and provide a fully waterproof roof with a 10-year guarantee. ABC Solar's goal is to build clean energy systems and focus on roof conditioning that will support the 30-year operating life of grid-tie solar systems.

Long Beach Rescue Mission Since 1972, the Long Beach Rescue Mission has opened its doors to thousands of men, women and children. The mission provides food, clothing, shelter and spiritual guidance to the homeless and less fortunate people of the community. The Long Beach Rescue Mission stands dedicated to helping individuals overcome the homeless cycle. We achieve long term goals and make a world of difference in today's society.

Senior citizens and neighborhood families also come for the meals or to attend worship services in the evenings and or Sundays. The mission provides loving care and spiritual guidance to help the homeless find purpose, direction and hope. Individuals are encouraged to find jobs or enter the mission's one year New Life Program, which helps men deal with substance abuse and plan positive directions for their lives.

When employment is found, we allow our guests to stay at the mission's facilities until they have saved enough money for their own housing needs. The Long Beach Rescue Mission is comprised of two facilities. The Samaritan House serves as a home for men while Lydia House offers a safe haven for women and their children.