WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 3, 2006--Global Resource Options (GRO), the Vermont-based national leader in sales of residential solar energy systems, has donated two solar electric systems to Twin Pines Housing Trust, the nonprofit housing developer serving the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire. GRO and Twin Pines have also announced an ongoing partnership whereby GRO will donate $500 in cash to Twin Pines for every residential solar system purchased by a Twin Pines supporter.

The total retail value of GRO's initial donation -- two complete operational systems -- will be $38,000.

Jeff Wolfe, CEO of Global Resource Options, said, "Energy is rapidly becoming one of the biggest expenses born by renters and home owners. With these systems in place, residents will realize big savings -- up to 2/3 of their energy costs. Now that's affordable housing! GRO is pleased to make this contribution to the folks served by Twin Pines."

The two 2000-watt systems donated by GRO will be connected to the meters in the houses where they are installed. When the sun is out and is providing more energy than the residents are using, the excess will feed back into the power supply - that is, the meter will run backwards.

Rob Bryant, former Executive Director of Twin Pines Housing Trust, said, "Long-term cost savings are enormously important to the people we serve. For a family that is working to own a home for the first time, even small savings can be important. The savings afforded by these panels will be huge. We are grateful to Global Resource Options not just for this donation, which is significant, but also for their vision in recognizing the role that solar energy can play in making housing more affordable and more cost-efficient."

GRO and Twin Pines both expressed enthusiasm that this partnership will lead to future collaboration. Wolfe said, "GRO sees a future when our business will be far more than installing solar panel on roofs. GRO will soon provide full-service energy consulting to homeowners and to developers - installing and servicing renewable energy sources, and ensuring that a home and its appliances are the most energy efficient possible. We envision playing such a role for Twin Pines. We want to encourage developers not to think of houses as boxes, but as systems that are responsive to the people who live in them and responsive to the environment. This kind of thinking will significantly lower energy costs, which will lower the overall cost of home ownership."

Bryant said, "It is exciting when a non-profit organization and a for-profit business both come at a challenge with innovative thinking. I can imagine GRO helping Twin Pines to develop a new approach to building, incorporating renewable energy and whole-building design technology in a way that makes home ownership possible for greater numbers of people, and that makes government funders sit up and take notice."

Twin Pines is currently evaluating the most appropriate site and conditions for construction of the homes that will incorporate the two solar systems. Once sites have been selected and the projects are under construction, GRO will install the systems as part of its donation.

Global Resource Options

Global Resource Options, Inc., premier provider of residential solar energy systems in the eastern United States, helps homeowners reduce their energy bills and turn their values into action. GRO makes solar simple, providing distribution services of complete solar energy systems, while also serving customers directly with consultation, installation, and as-needed maintenance. Global Resource Options is the 2005 winner of Vermont's highest award for a socially responsible business, the Terry Ehrich Small Company Award for Excellence, selected by Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility.

Twin Pines Housing Trust

Twin Pines Housing Trust is dedicated to providing perpetually affordable housing to residents of the Upper Valley.

Copyright Business Wire 2006

Global Resource Options

Global Resource Options

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