Donor Biography

Appaloosa Solar 1 is a 200 MW solar project located in Iron County, UT. The project broke ground in 2022 and is expected to reach commercial operation in early 2024.

Greenbacker Capital Management, a leading renewable energy asset manager, owns a majority sponsor position in Appaloosa Solar 1, which is the company's largest clean energy asset to date. Sundt Construction, with significant experience in Utah -- including the rPlus-developed Graphite Solar Project, is providing engineering, procurement, and construction for Appaloosa Solar 1. rPlus Energies, a subsidiary of the Gardner Group, is the developer and construction manager of Appaloosa Solar 1.

About rPlus Energies

rPlus is a team of committed energy industry professionals working together to develop large-scale renewable energy generation and electric storage projects in the United States. rPlus specializes in bringing projects to market through partnership with the private sector, municipalities, utilities, and industry-leading technology and service providers. Its portfolio consists of a strategic mix of solar, solar plus battery, wind, and pumped storage hydro facilities. rPlus’ projects contribute to the economic and technological modernization of America’s energy systems. rPlus is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah and operates as a subsidiary of the Gardner Group.

About Gardner Group

Gardner Group is a privately-owned collective of companies dedicated to sustainability, innovation, quality real estate development and re-investing back into communities through results-oriented philanthropy. The Gardner family’s 40-year-old, full-service commercial real estate company specializes in the development of retail centers, multi-family residential, office, industrial, medical campuses and senior living. In 2018 the subsidiary, rPlus Energies was established to build utility-scale renewable energy infrastructure across America. In support of innovation, Gardner formed a partnership with Philo Ventures in 2021.

About Sundt

Sundt Construction, Inc. is one of the country’s largest and most respected general contractors. The 133-year-old firm specializes in transportation, industrial, building, concrete, and renewable power work and is owned entirely by its approximately 2,000 employees. Much of Sundt’s workforce is comprised of skilled craft professionals who, together with the company’s administrative employees, enable Sundt to fulfill its mission to be the most skilled builder in America. The company has won 27 AGC Build America awards, which is more than any other general contractor. Sundt has 12 offices throughout California, Arizona, North Carolina, Texas, Portland-metro, and Utah and is currently ranked the country’s 61st largest construction company by ENR, the industry’s principal trade magazine.

About Greenbacker Capital Management

Greenbacker Capital Management LLC is an SEC registered investment adviser that provides advisory and oversight services related to project development, acquisition, and operations in the renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainability industries. For more information, please visit www.greenbackercapital.com.

“Sundt is honored to support the Local First Scholarship program and the Iron County students it serves,” said Sundt President Tom Dodson. “Helping local communities meet their workforce needs aligns with Sundt’s purpose to build environments where all people can prosper.”

“Being a responsible community partner is one of our core values,” said Ben Tillar, Investments Principal at Greenbacker. “We’re proud to continue contributing to the Local First scholarship series and supporting both education and the local workforce in Iron County.”

Scholarship Criteria

The scholarship is to award outstanding students who are from Iron County, Utah, and have the desire to stay in Iron County after completing their studies and have financial needs. Scholarships apply to students pursuing a bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree, and/or a certificate. Recipients are to be a resident of Iron County, Utah that will complete all questionnaires/essays requested by the Donor. preference is given to students expressing a financial need. Minimum GPA of 2.0.

Additional Response Required

Varied Dollars/yr