SunPower for Schools

Brightening Classrooms in Georgia: Sun Power for Schools

Learning about renewable energy and its impact on the environment can produce a significant "yawn factor" for many students, but Sun Power for Schools, a new initiative of Green Power EMC and Irwin EMC promises to make the lessons more interesting.

Starting with the 2005-2006 school year, Irwin EMC has partnered with Irwin County School System to install a photovoltaic system to harness energy from the sun. Sun Power for Schools represents the first statewide academic program to showcase the benefits of solar energy.

"The EMCs were the first utilities to offer renewable energy to Georgians," says Hope Paulk with Irwin EMC. "We’re delighted to broaden our efforts and share another environmentally friendly technology with middle and high school students."

According to Paulk, Sun Power for Schools was a logical choice because electric cooperatives have a history of successful partnerships with schools.

In August 2005, a photovoltaic system was installed at the C.A.S.E. Farm at Irwin County High School in Ocilla. The solar installation was the first in the state as part of this project and will become an important component in the school’s curriculum and provide students with a hands-on example of renewable energy generation.

A monitoring device will allow students to see the amount of energy produced each day, and the accumulated data will be used in math and science classes to provide additional resource materials to support classroom projects. The data, available on the Internet, can be shared by other schools. The solar panels will be located outside for easy access and viewing by students, their parents, and other members of the community.

The solar panels will become part of a mix of renewable energy sources provided by electric co-ops to help reduce pollution, preserve natural resources and reduce the state's reliance on traditional energy sources.

"It was exciting to show the students a fan powered by a portable solar panel. They were amazed that a shadow over the unit was able to slow the fan down," says Paulk.

The Sun Power for Schools Project was made possible through a $160,000 donation of Green Power EMC, an energy cooperative formed by 16 of the state’s EMCs, including Irwin EMC. Created in 2001, Green Power EMC contracts for electricity generated by renewable resources, like biomass, solar and low-impact hydro. The green electricity is distributed by the EMCs to the electric system that supports the consumer’s home or business.

The donation is part of Green Power EMC’s research and development efforts which are partially funded by members who sign up for green power and pay a modest charge of $3 to $5 each month per 150 kilowatt-hour block, depending upon the participating EMC. A portion of the charge supports the effort to bring to market renewable resources including biomass, wind, and low-impact hydroelectric generation.

Since 2001, Green Power EMC and participating co-ops like Irwin EMC have delivered five megawatts of renewable energy to Georgians, becoming the first utilities in the state to invest in and provide green energy.

Customers can support the green energy effort by signing up for a limited number of 150 kilowatt-hour blocks by contacting Hope Paulk at Irwin EMC. Meanwhile, consumers should look for up-to-date developments on Sun Power for Schools in future issues of Irwin Power Notes.