SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) announced at today’s We Day California event a $250,000 sponsorship that will provide sustainable energy project opportunities for several local high schools. Students will build portable solar units, share their commitment to sustainability by participating in local projects and have a chance to make a global impact.

The solar suitcase is a small, portable photovoltaic lighting system, powerful enough to illuminate a small room. PG&E will provide 100 solar suitcase units to high schools throughout Northern and Central California, supplied by the nonprofit Green Tech. The schools who receive the solar suitcases will be trained by Green Tech on assembly of the portable kits and will learn firsthand the basic principles of clean energy technical education.

“PG&E is a champion of education, providing nearly $70 million to local schools throughout Northern and Central California over the last decade. By pairing that commitment with our focus on clean energy sources like solar, we can help educate students and inspire them to create lasting and sustainable action,” said Chris Johns, president of PG&E.

Encouraging students to “act locally and think globally,” PG&E’s program includes a local community service sustainable activity component as well as an international opportunity. Part of the program involves students’ participation in local sustainability projects of their own choosing, such as park cleanups, water and energy conservation teams, or community gardens.

“PG&E believes in a cleaner energy future that includes solar. Students like those invited to We Day California—who are already deeply invested in improving their local communities—are exactly the type of young leaders who will drive a clean, sustainable energy future. These passionate young Californians are on a profound path to forever change the lives of others in their local communities and around the world. We're excited to share the potential of solar with them,” said Helen Burt, senior vice president of corporate affairs for PG&E.

Participating students can submit videos of their own local sustainability project success stories to earn a chance to be one of four participants selected for a humanitarian solar suitcase delivery mission to orphanages, schools and medical clinics in Kenya with international charity Free the Children. This unique global opportunity for local high school students adds a new dimension to PG&E’s commitment to education and renewable energy.

To learn more about solar suitcases, visit PG&E Currents at http://www.pge.com/solarsuitcase.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), and the PG&E Corporation Foundation strive to power strong communities throughout Northern and Central California. In 2013, PG&E contributed more than $23 million to more than 1,300 charitable organizations, including matching the generosity of employees who donated more than $7.3 million and volunteered more than 75,000 hours to company-supported events. Community investments are funded entirely by the company’s shareholders. For more information, visit www.pge.com/community

Source: Pacific Gas and Electric Company