<div dir="ltr"><div><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u><span lang="EN-US">For Immediate Release:<br>
<br>
</span></u><span lang="EN-US"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span lang="EN-US">Energizing the Golden Museum and Archives: A
Solar Project<br>
<br>
</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span lang="EN-US">January 31, 2025 - Golden, BC: The
Golden Museum and Archives is excited to announce a major building upgrade
coming in early 2025. This project focuses on the installation of a large solar
array designed to bring the Golden Museum’s power usage to net zero, meaning
the building will generate as much power as it uses.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span lang="EN-US">Throughout 2024, the Museum has been
working with A Fit Right Efficient Energy Company Inc. and GreenLight Power to
create a design that will reach the goal of being net-zero. This project,
funded by Columbia Basin Trusts Non-profit Smart Grant, Destination BC’s
Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative Grant, and BC Hydro’s Solar Rebate
Program, will create organizational and environmental sustainability. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span lang="EN-US">“We are seeing more buildings and
businesses take on solar projects,” Brittany Newman, Executive Director of the
Golden Museum says, “I think that climate change and the visible effects it is
having globally have really impacted the way people think. Solar is a great way
to cut down on gas emissions and create a more sustainable community. We’ve
seen what extreme weather has been doing, especially locally, so people are
taking whatever steps they can to lessen their environmental impact. There is
currently a lot of public and financial support out there for environmental
sustainability projects, right now. I encourage people to do some research and
look into it. Also, propane, gas, and electricity are not getting any cheaper,
so installing a system that makes a building self-sufficient has a definite
appeal.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span lang="EN-US">The Museum was built from a kit in
1970 by community volunteers. The 3300 sq. ft. building relies on electricity
for heat, and costs between $6,000 - $7,000 a year to power. The Solar Array
being installed on the museum will greatly reduce this cost and we estimate
that the system will pay for itself within 12 years. Additionally, with the
effects of climate change, including the on-going droughts, a self-generating
system means that the museum is no longer reliant on hydroelectric generated
power.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span lang="EN-US">The unique shape of the building and
its age have provided some challenges. Engineering inspections of the roof and
upgrades to the building’s electrical service were required before the project
could even begin. It took many months of planning and designing to ensure the
optimal output of energy from the placement of panels. The building’s rounded
roof ensured that a simple system wouldn’t work.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span lang="EN-US">“The Museum has been a fun system to
design, as [the panels] are being place on the side of a Quonset which has
added a level of difficulty, but these are the types of challenges I enjoy
most,” Thad Mertick, owner of A Fit Right Efficient Energy Company says.
“Especially when we are able to find such a great answer, which has turned into
a very efficient, clean, and advanced system.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span lang="EN-US">While the main focus of this project
is to become sustainable, the museum is also a place of learning. Because of
this, part of the project includes a display that will be installed in the
museum gallery so that visitors can understand how the system works and monitor
the energy production. This display is the first part of a future exhibit
exploring power generation in Golden and Columbia Valley. The team is excited
about the learning components this project offers, with Thad stating, “I love
the thought of the museum and the mixture of old with the new technology. It’s
really exciting.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span lang="EN-US">The 39.4KW system, worth
approximately $100,000, is expected to be installed on the Museum this spring.</span></p></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div>_____________________________________________________________<br></div></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><b style="font-size:large">Brittany Newman </b><i>(She/Her</i><i>) </i></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> </span> Executive Director<span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span><font size="4"> </font><br><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color:rgb(0,0,0)"><font face="Univers LT Pro 55, sans-serif">Golden Museum and Archives</font><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:8pt"><br><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Golden+%26+District+Museum/@51.2922114,-116.9631953,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x5379bf96b43fc203:0x194db531bf58fa85!8m2!3d51.2922129!4d-116.9611077" target="_blank">1302 11th Ave S, Golden BC, V0A 1H0</a><br>PO Box 992, Golden BC, V0A 1H0</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:8pt">Phone: 250 344-5169 </span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:7.5pt"><br></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:8pt"><a href="mailto:museum.golden@gmail.com" target="_blank">museum.golden@gmail.com </a> | </span><font color="#000000"><a href="https://goldenbcmuseums.com/" target="_blank"><font face="arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.6667px">https://goldenbcmuseums.com/</span></font></a></font><span style="color:blue;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:8pt"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:8pt"><br>Join us on: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/museum.golden/" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">Facebook</span></a> | </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:"Univers LT Pro 55",sans-serif;font-size:8pt"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/museum.golden" style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">Instagram</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:8pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal">The Golden Museum and Archives operates on the territories of the Ktunaxa and Secwepemc Peoples<span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)">, and the chosen home of the Metis Nation Columbia River Society</span>. We are grateful for the privilege to work and play on this territory.</p></div></div></div></div></div>