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PSE Selects Five Puget Sound-Area Schools for Solar Power Installation Grants

Posted on: Wednesday, 23 April 2008, 12:00 CDT

Five Puget Sound-area schools will see their vision of solar power become a reality thanks to almost $100,000 in grants announced today by Puget Sound Energy. The grants, up to $25,000 each, will provide for the installation of photovoltaic (a technology that converts light directly into electricity) systems of 1 to 2 kilowatts (kW), as well as educational tools enabling students to monitor the systems and learn about solar power.

The selected schools include:

• Thomas Jefferson High School, Auburn

• Marshall Middle School, Olympia

• Sakai Intermediate School, Bainbridge Island

• Interlake High School, Bellevue

• South Whidbey High School, Whidbey Island

The solar demonstration projects will allow students to learn firsthand about renewable energy technologies, as well as provide a basis for classroom curriculum ranging from science and mathematics to the humanities. The grants are part of PSE's ongoing efforts to advance renewable energy generation and awareness, and result from an evaluation of a Feb. 1 - March 3, 2008 request for proposal to area schools by the utility.

"The solar demonstration projects will help students in communities throughout our service area learn more about renewable energy and the environment," said Kimberly Harris, executive vice president and chief resource officer for PSE. "The response from the teachers, administrators and staff in each district has been tremendous, and we look forward to working with the schools as they bring their systems on line."

The solar systems will serve as both a visual and interactive tool by introducing students to renewable energy technology and providing a hands-on opportunity to explore global energy issues. The installations will include a Web-based monitoring system with an interactive touch-screen kiosk to display real-time data about the amount of electricity generated by the school's solar array, as well as software enabling students to assess system performance over time.

At many schools, the interest in solar power extends beyond the classroom. South Whidbey Island High School teacher Jay Freundlich is a solar enthusiast at home, being the first PSE customer with his own solar installation connected to the utility's transmission grid.

For Interlake High School, the solar array will be part of a new school stadium concession stand. Science teacher Phil Allen, the school's project champion, is part of a team aiming for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification -- an advanced certification for new construction -- when the concession stand opens in September 2008.

Marshall Middle School in Olympia joins its fellow district school, Washington Middle School, which dedicated a 1.1 kW solar system with PSE support in 2007. Teacher Chris Cunningham sees the system as a great learning tool, saying good-naturedly in his proposal, "We would milk it for every learning opportunity we could for our kids."

On Bainbridge Island, Sakai Intermediate School's project champion Todd Erler sees its roof-mounted photovoltaic array as a way of teaching fifth and sixth graders about the viability of solar power in their community.

For Auburn's Thomas Jefferson High School, teacher and project champion Shawn Timulak is passionate about renewable energy and energy conservation, and plans to bring that commitment to his students and the community with the PSE grant.

Since 2004, PSE (working through the Bonneville Environmental Foundation [BEF]) has funded the installation of five solar systems at Puget Sound-area schools and institutions including Redmond High School, Washington Middle School in Olympia, Port Townsend High School, the Bellingham Environmental Learning Center, the Puget Sound Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee's Training Center in Renton, and the Institute for Environmental Research and Education in Vashon. A system at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery is nearing completion.

Beginning in 2008, the cost of PSE's Solar Schools Program is covered by a small, usage-based charge approved by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission that is already on the monthly bills of all PSE customers. Funding through the BEF stopped last year during suspension of the Bonneville Power Administration Residential Exchange credit. Efforts continue to restore the credit.

A similar RFP is planned for early 2009, when PSE will take applications for up to five more solar demonstration projects at area schools. For more information about the solar schools project visit www.PSE.com.

About Puget Sound Energy

Washington state's oldest and largest energy utility, with a 6,000-square-mile service area stretching across 11 counties, PSE serves more than 1 million electric customers and nearly 729,000 natural gas customers, primarily in Western Washington. PSE meets the energy needs of its growing customer base through incremental, cost-effective energy efficiency, procurement of sustainable energy resources, and far-sighted investment in the energy-delivery infrastructure. PSE employees are dedicated to providing great customer service to deliver energy that is safe, reliable, reasonably priced, and environmentally responsible. For more information, visit www.PSE.com.

Source: Business Wire

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