DEPCOM Power, a solar EPC headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, has recently expanded its offerings to more philanthropic causes. One of the company’s core values is to donate 10% of its net income to the most needy, and since 2016, DEPCOM has donated $2.6 million across its project footprint.
In response to DEPCOM employees requesting a way to donate their own money to DEPCOM causes, the company formalized its corporate giving as a 501c3 non-profit, called DEPCOM G.I.V.E.S (Generosity for the Impoverished, Veterans, Education and Solar). In addition to the 501c3, DEPCOM established DEPCOM Solar for Christ LLC in 2017. The founding of this program came from the innovation of the DEPCOM team in the field.
During solar module installation, a small percentage of modules get “bruised,” sometimes from being dropped or damaged during shipment. Instead of discarding them, DEPCOM refurbishes and donates the solar panels for solar carport installations in church parking lots. This ingenuity enables churches like McDowell Mountain Church in Scottsdale to save $1.2 million in utility costs over several years.
The recently completed carport installation at McDowell Mountain Church consists of more than 500 solar panels, either donated brand new or refurbished. “Bruised” panels are evaluated by DEPCOM and determined if they can be refurbished.
“We test the modules multiple ways and exclude any underperforming panels,” said John Schroeder, President of DEPCOM Solar for Christ. “If the damage is purely cosmetic, we may bend a frame back into shape, buff out some scratches or just simply accept an ugly module. If the damage occurred to the junction box, wires or connectors, we repair those using a splice or replacement components.”
All refurbished panels are guaranteed to be operating at full power and performance levels.
A ribbon cutting dedication will be held at McDowell Mountain Church on March 4, 2018.
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