I recently noticed solar panels on a local high school. Are you installing those to help schools save energy?
You probably saw a solar photovoltaic installation that is part of the Solar 4R Schools program. We are coordinating the program, which is funded by Clark Public Utilities customers who participate in our Green Lights renewable energy program and managed by Bonneville Environmental Foundation.
“Solar 4R Schools helps schools expose students to solar technology,” said Michelle Missfeldt, a key account manager at Clark Public Utilities. “The electricity generated does help reduce the amount of electricity the school must buy by a small amount, but the main purpose of the program is educational.”
Schools may receive solar panels, monitoring equipment, science kits for classroom use, teacher training and live tracking of the system’s production on Bonneville Environmental Foundation’s Web site, http://www.solar4rschools.org.
Columbia River and Heritage high schools in the Vancouver and Evergreen school districts are the latest recipients of photovoltaic systems and education support. When they’re completed this spring, seven Clark County schools will be participating in the program.
Missfeldt said the program is changing slightly in order to reach more students. “Panels are expensive and we want to focus more on the education aspect of the program. This year, some approved schools will receive teacher support training, science kits that give kids hands-on projects to work with and a portable photovoltaic to use as a teaching aid, rather than the actual panels.”
Craig Collins, renewable energy project manager with Bonneville Environmental Foundation, said, “By introducing high school students to solar technology we can pique their interest to seek and understand solar energy and its benefits, as well as its challenges,” Collins said. “Teachers like it because it’s a teaching tool that helps them bring the theoretical to reality. We’re hoping it will serve to demonstrate the technology and make it more commonplace.”
Learning opportunity
Separate from Green Lights funding, Clark Public Utilities will add photovoltaic panels to its expanded operations center on Northeast 117 Avenue. “It will be another educational opportunity for teachers and students. We’ll be able to add solar to our student tours and teach about the technology,” Missfeldt said.
Green Lights
Any Clark Public Utilities customer who wants to support the development of renewable energy in the region can participate in Green Lights for an additional $1.50 a month on their bills for each block of 100 kilowatt-hours of Green Lights purchased.
Funds are pooled with customers of other utilities and managed by the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, which invests in new renewable generation in the region, including local projects. Clark Public Utilities funds also support the Solar 4R Schools in Clark County. At the end of 2009, 1,115 customers were participating.
The Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities energy counselors, who provide conservation and energy use information to utility customers. Send questions to energyadviser@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, in care of Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA. 98668. A panel of local energy efficiency and energy product experts will review your questions. Past topics are available at www.clarkpublicutilities.com.
