Energy prices are up, thermometers are rising and instability in oil supplies continues to strain energy production. As the real and embedded costs of energy become increasingly apparent, the United States is at a tipping point. Changing the energy habits of American citizens and businesses is not only desirable, but also necessary for our sustained ecological and economic health. Yet if the nation wants to meet its future need, the U.S. must strengthen its commitment to energy produced from renewable resources and energy conservation.
Historically, schools have had the far-reaching arms and ready infrastructure to successfully advance much needed social change. Often centers of the community, projects at local schools have high visibility. Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, schools shape the next wave of consumers, and by extension the future face of the market. With this in mind, Green Power Electric Membership Cooperative (EMC) and Southface joined forces in 2004 to launch the Sun Power for Schools program. At the program’s start, Green Power EMC consisted of sixteen member co-ops. Thus the installation of sixteen grid connected photovoltaic (PV) systems in Green Power’s service area aims to educate and empower students to make informed energy choices. Phase one includes the first six installations, 1.155 kW each. Phase two will include the final ten, rated at 1.29 kW each.
 Team and Process
Equipment & Purchasing
Teacher Education |
The Sun Power for Schools program represents the first statewide academic initiative to showcase the benefits of solar energy in Georgia. During its first phase, PV arrays with accompanying data acquisition systems (DAS) were installed at six high schools. A one-day training was provided for teachers and representatives of Green Power member cooperatives for these schools to acquaint them with their system and its implications for the classroom. The next phase will include the installation of ten more PV systems as well as a mentoring program for participating teachers. This case study presents the lessons learned from phase one of the Sun Power for Schools program including: team and process, equipment and purchasing and teacher education. |
Conclusion
Insufficient time has elapsed to assess the implementation of the Sun Power for Schools program in the classroom. Still, a solar and renewable energy curriculum in secondary schools is well suited to the State’s new Environmental Science standards and could provide impetus for schools in the program to offer this elective if they do not do so already. Such curriculum could possibly encourage schools outside of the program to utilize the Sun Power data. As the second phase of the program gets underway Green Power EMC and Southface are making plans to offer a follow-up training with delegates from the first and second phases of the program. Here teachers will have a forum to discuss the obstacles encountered, opening up a network of dialogue and support integral to developing a set of lasting energy curricula in Georgia. Ultimately, Sun Power for Schools and similar programs can only grow if the schools and teachers find it feasible and worthwhile.
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