Pedal Power for Solar Power

By Patrick Martin

Josh Andrews and Chris Pamboukes are Portsmouth, N.H. residents who share a deep love of cycling. This summer they will put that passion to work for positive change for the Seacoast area.

On July 14th the two will begin a 2,000-mile bicycle trek down the Pacific coast from Vancouver to San Diego. The ride is for a donate-per-mile bikeathon fundraiser called Pedal for Power to cover the installation cost of a solar system Cross Roads House on Route 1 in Portsmouth.

Josh Andrews and Chris Pamboukes of Portsmouth, N.H will begin a 2,000-mile bicycle trek for a solar fundraiser called Pedal for Power on July 14th, 2014. Photo courtesy of Green Alliance.

Cross Roads House is a 96-bed shelter serving homeless men, women and children in the Seacoast area. Since 1982, it has provided an estimated 500,000 shelter nights to over 5,000 individuals and families. The facility offers a wide range of support services for those in need, including case management, telephone and Internet access, daily warm meals, on-site health care, dental care and much more.

Both Andrews and Pamboukes have years of experience working on both philanthropic events and athletic challenges. In 2004, Pamboukes did volunteer work at Cross Roads House through a tutoring program, Students Helping Students in Need, for which he was recognized by the Greater Portsmouth Education Partnership Council.

Now, Pamboukes plans to help out once more, with the aid of his employer, ReVision Energy, a Green Alliance Business Partner. The Green Alliance is an entity that connects like-minded green businesses and the community that supports them.

ReVision Energy will build a new 16-kW solar array of 62 panels on the south-facing roof at Cross Roads House. The installation is projected to save Cross Roads House about $3,200 a year for the next 30 years, approximately the cost of 3,000 meals each year. The system will also cancel out 27,000 pounds of annual carbon dioxide emissions – equaling the carbon-absorbing capability of 560 trees planted per year.

Through their website, community events, and media outlets, the two aim to raise $50,000, to cover the cost of ReVision Energy’s installation.

Pedal for Power is currently asking for Penny-Per-Mile and Nickel-Per-Mile donations, at $20 and $100 respectively. Businesses and other organizations also can sponsor the initiative.

So far, large donations have been made by Port City ‘Peds, New England Printing, Bowl-O-Rama, The Thirsty Moose Taphouse, Flat Bread Pizza Company, the Green Alliance and many others. However, Andrews and Pamboukes are looking for another lead sponsor to join ReVision Energy in putting a bigger dent in the $50,000 goal.

“We at ReVision Energy want the solar industry to grow not only because it helps our business, but we genuinely believe in its ability to curb the over consumption of finite fuels that pollute our environment. …It’s one thing to try and raise $50,000 dollars in six months, but the real challenge is developing a sustainable future filled with opportunity that everyone can prosper in,” said Pamboukes.

To learn more or donate to the Andrews-and-Pamboukes mission, www.PedalForPower.com.

ReVision Energy: revisionenergy.com
Green Alliance: greenalliance.biz