Cascades Academy

At Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF), we believe addressing the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges requires innovation, creative problem solving and discovering a new way of doing business that values the natural resources we depend on. We also believe education plays a critical role in securing a clean energy, low-carbon future. Our nationally renowned Solar 4R Schools program is inspiring a new generation of clean energy leaders with the insight and innovative thinking necessary to solve the nation’s most pressing energy challenges. To get there, we’re transforming solar technology into a complete STEM classroom learning experience. With the help of our corporate, nonprofit and utility funding partners, our vision is to integrate engaging renewable energy education into every science classroom in the nation. Learn more at Solar4RSchools.org.

The Bonneville Power Administration is a federal nonprofit agency based in the Pacific Northwest. Although BPA is part of the U.S. Department of Energy, it is self-funding and covers its costs by selling its products and services. BPA markets wholesale electrical power from 31 federal hydro projects in the Columbia River Basin, one nonfederal nuclear plant and several other small nonfederal power plants. The dams are operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation. About one-third of the electric power used in the Northwest comes from BPA.

The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) provided grant funding to the project through their Renewable Energy Development program. Each year ODOE provides funding for up to 35% of a renwable project's cost. Eligible systems are those that produce energy from biomass, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, wind, landfill gas, biogas or wave, tidal or ocean thermal energy technology. 

Cascades Academy recieved generous donations from members of the school to provide matching funds for the solar project.