St. Helens High School celebrates new solar installation
October 12, 2007
A new solar power installation is brightening the future for students at St. Helens High School. At a special ceremony today, the school unveiled a 1.1-kilowatt solar electric power system, installed prominently in front of the main office. The project educates students and teachers on the functions and benefits of solar electric power while providing clean energy to help offset a portion of the school's electricity use.
The solar installation was funded through a unique partnership between Columbia River People's Utility District (PUD) and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF).
"Columbia River PUD actively supports expanding educational opportunities in our community," said PUD General Manager Kevin Owens. "We are excited to partner with BEF and St. Helens High School to introduce local students to the science, technology and career opportunities of renewable energy."
PUD General Manager Kevin Owens presents a commemorative plaque to SHHS
Teacher Jay Groom, who served as the school's project manager for the solar
installation.
"Having a solar installation at the high school and a curriculum that introduces students to electricity production will create interest in and excitement about careers in the energy and utility industries," added Owens. "We hope that excitement will result in local students pursuing utility careers in electrical engineering, renewable energy, and energy efficiency."
In addition to producing clean, renewable energy, St. Helens High School's solar power system includes a curriculum package that uses the web-based, real- time data generated by the installation to provide students with a comprehensive learning experience. St. Helens High School teacher Jay Groom will spearhead the school's renewable energy education efforts, using the photovoltaic system to enhance science, social studies, and other classes.
"The whole school can benefit from the addition of this project to our curriculum," Groom said. "I love real data and applications of what is learned in the classroom. That sort of thing makes the learning come alive to the students and they internalize it much better. We would like to thank the BEF and the PUD for all of the time and energy they have put into making this project a reality."
An interactive, flash-animated kiosk located in the school's entry hallway
further increases the educational value of the project. The wall-mounted kiosk
details the live and historical performance of the 1.1-kilowatt system and
visually depicts how solar electricity is generated. (See live data on the solar panel's output.)
Local dignitaries, PUD and SHHS board members and staff and SHHS students
attended the dedication. State Senator Betsy Johnson spoke about the importance
of renewable energy in Oregon and the job opportunities in this growing
industry.
"We at St. Helens High School are excited to receive the photovoltaic project as it gives us another 'hands on' approach to teaching science and relating that science to the students' lives," Groom noted. "The live data will allow the students to see how our energy needs can be addressed through alternative means."
About Columbia River PUD
Columbia River People's Utility District (CRPUD) is a customer-owned utility that provides electric service to 18,300 customers in Columbia County and northern Multnomah County, Oregon.
The PUD provided funding for the project, collaborated on the interconnection of the system, and made available the 'net metering' arrangement that allows delivery of any excess solar power back to the utility system. The PUD also supports the development of new renewable resources through its Choice Energy program, allowing customers to purchase electricity from wind farms in eastern Oregon, and through a new incentive program for customers installing solar electric and solar water heating systems. The new solar incentive program will be available in January 2008.
Learn more about Columbia River PUD at www.crpud.net.
About the Bonneville Environmental Foundation
The Bonneville Environmental Foundation is a national non-profit organization, established in 1998 to restore watershed ecosystems and further the development and use of new renewable energy resources. Through revenues generated from the sales of green power products, BEF funds projects that restore damaged watersheds and support new renewable energy projects from solar, wind, and biomass. BEF created the "Solar 4R Schools" program to provide students and teachers with a comprehensive and interactive renewable energy learning experience.
More information on BEF and its programs is available on the web at www.b-e-f.org, www.Solar4RSchools.org, and www.GreenTag sUSA.org.
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For more information, contact Libby Calnon, PUD Communication Specialist, at lca@crpud.org or (503) 366-3264.
Columbia River People's Utility District provides electric service to 18,100 customers in Columbia and Multnomah Counties in Oregon.
The PUD employs 48 people and had FY2006 gross revenues of $28.8 million.