What It Is
Many schools throughout the country are currently participating in some sort of solar schools program. The program includes the installation of an on-site, interactive PV system that has been equipped with data acquisition capability for educational purposes. PV systems are located on school property so students and teachers can get a close-up view of the technology. The data acquisition component allows information to be viewed in the classroom via an internet connection. Teachers are also given access to a wide variety of online lesson plans and other tools designed specifically for solar or renewable energy education.
OneWorld Sustainable is very grateful to have had the opportunity to develop a solar educational pilot project that is currently being used to help students learn about renewable energy as well as the concept of sustainable living in general. As a result of our pilot project, solar schools programs have been implemented in two states by three utility companies using our project as a template by which to model their own programs.
A Brief History
The Georgia Solar Schools Pilot Project, developed in 2003 and located at Oglethorpe County High School (OCHS), was 90% funded by the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA). Participating partners included Julia Miller of GEFA, Glen Kiser of The Foundation for Environmental Education, Susan Schleith of the Florida Solar Energy Center, and Dwight Bailey of the U.S. Department of Energy. In addition, OCHS had its own internal champions of the initiative who not only brought up the idea of installing solar at the school but who also led the charge for its implementation.
Kathleen Murray, who at the time was an OCHS sophomore, initially approached Environmental Science teacher, Joe Conti, with the idea of solar at OCHS. Joe then called OneWorld President, Tim Blackwell, to request a meeting so the three of them could discuss options. During their meeting, Tim suggested to Joe and Kathleen that since solar was (at the time) so expensive and public schools typically had such strained budgets, they should consider the installation of a small PV system for education rather than designing a large system for significant power generation.
After a couple of weeks of homework and continuing due diligence, Joe, Kathleen, and Tim approached county school superintendent, Dr Jeff Welch, with their idea. Having been a long-standing member of Southface Energy Institute, Dr Welch was well aware of the significant learning opportunities such a program could bring to the school. Dr Welch soon convinced the school board to hear the case during their next meeting. The case was presented and, soon afterward, unanimously approved by the board.
After receiving notice of the school board's approval, Tim contacted Julia Miller of GEFA with the news. Being aware of similar educational solar systems that had been installed in her home state of Ohio, Julia became the project's champion at GEFA. With Julia's encouragement and assistance, GEFA soon approved our request for funding. Several weeks later, a check was received from GEFA and was combined with the small financial contribution OneWorld Sustainable had previously received from OCHS. Component procurement and installation of the interactive PV system began in early October and the system became fully operational by the end of the month. Ribbon cutting was held on November 3rd, 2003. Attendees included all of the participating partners previously mentioned as well as State Representative, Mickey Channell, and Athens Clarke County Mayor, Heidi Davison.
The following Spring, Tim invited GA Power and Green Power EMC (GPEMC) representatives to the school to observe the operation of the system as he and Joe Conti explained to them its many educational benefits. Not long afterward, OneWorld Sustainable and each utility company signed contracts to install systems across the state in each of their respective service areas. Later that year, Tim was approached by a representative of South Carolina utility company, Santee Cooper, who expressed interest in the program as well.
Since project completion, all three utility companies have been very strong supporters of the program and have purchased a combined total of over 50 educational PV systems from OneWorld Sustainable with more schools coming on board every year.
