SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- KIPP Summit Academy, a San Lorenzo, CA middle school, has completed several projects with the energy and environmental firm Carbon Lighthouse to profitably eliminate its building's entire carbon footprint.

Carbon Lighthouse conducted a comprehensive energy study at Summit Academy, collecting more than 100,000 data points on building lighting levels, temperature, and electrical current for five weeks. Carbon Lighthouse used that data to identify the most cost-effective energy efficiency improvements available at the school and provided turnkey implementation of these improvements, installing comprehensive lighting upgrades throughout the school.

For KIPP, these upgrades will decrease total energy use by 12%, generate substantial utility savings and carbon emission reductions, and create a more pleasant learning atmosphere. A portion of the savings will be donated to Carbon Lighthouse Association, an independent non-profit, to balance the remainder of the school's carbon footprint through verifiable carbon allowances. Carbon Lighthouse funded the project, so there was no out-of-pocket cost to the school.

"We are excited to have partnered with KIPP and helped them realize the energy and environmental benefits of these projects," said Raphael Rosen, Carbon Lighthouse's President.  "It's always satisfying to serve educational institutions, since the results of our projects free up school funds for more textbooks and teachers. We hope others take note of KIPP's fiscally-responsible, environmental leadership."

"It was a pleasure working with Carbon Lighthouse.  They were very friendly, easy to work with, sincere, and understanding – like a family," said Danny Montano, Director of Facilities at Summit Academy. "Now our classrooms have good light and we're going to save a lot of energy.  And I learned a lot, too."

Carbon Lighthouse Association awarded Summit Academy a Carbon Neutral Plaque, signifying that the facility has achieved net zero carbon status with respect to its utility energy consumption.

Carbon Lighthouse
Carbon Lighthouse, LLC is a San Francisco-based company that makes it simple for buildings to profitably eliminate their carbon footprint through a combination of high quality energy efficiency services, onsite renewable energy, and, with its non-profit partner Carbon Lighthouse Association, carbon allowances. The company has worked with over 80 clients to implement projects. www.carbonlighthouse.com

KIPP
KIPP is a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and in life. There are currently 125 KIPP schools in 20 states serving more than 39,000 students. www.kipp.org

SOURCE Carbon Lighthouse