The Sun Shines in Paradise
This story was written by one of the PG&E Solar Schools Program’s most enthusiastic teachers, Mr. Greg Holman. We all wish we had a science teacher like him. His story speaks to how his school (including fellow science teacher Mr. Snyder, and equally enthusiastic I might add!) has mobilized the 1kW PV system, integrated a variety of projects at the school, and sparked an energy revolution in Paradise, CA.
Story submitted by Greg Holman
6th grade Science
Evergreen 6 is program with 96 sixth graders. We are located about an hour and a half north of Sacramento, in the foothill town of Paradise California. We are extremely fortunate to have received one of the PG&E solar installation grants. This addition to our school has created great enthusiasm about this alternative energy. Evergreen 6 has incorporated our 1 kw solar array into many of our projects. Here are some of the things we have done:
- Students used the PG&E Energenius program and NEED energy units to better understand energy, audit our school energy use, and audit home energy use. Students determined and implemented energy saving strategies. (Some even negotiated with parents to earn a portion of the monthly savings.)
- Students created a list of questions they had about solar energy. They researched the answers and then presented to neighboring 3rd graders. Below, Evergreen students are playing a game where 3rd graders try to guess the watts used by common appliances. This was used to help them understand how much energy we use, what our array can potentially and realistically power, and the importance of conservation. Winning answers were awarded Sunny Delight, Capri-Sun, and Sun Chip prizes. Students also taught the 3rd graders about the system, and the data monitoring. Teachers teach students, who in turn become the teachers.
- Students share our gift from PG&E with the local media. Students create and paint signs that help direct people to our website: www.evergreen6.us for more information.
- Students design and built a retaining wall around our solar array. This area we are developing into a focal point of our school. This reinforces the concept learned from the Foundation for Environmental Education: solar should be seen!
- Students have a contest to determine/ estimate when our array will hit landmarks. (500kwh, 1000kwh…)
- Students gather around our array – with the new brick wall nearly completed.
Again, we feel so fortunate to have this gift at our school. With all of the focus on the various aspects of energy, an amazing thing has happened. Students and staff alike have become very energy conscious. Automatically turning off lights and computers when they leave a room. Unplugging appliances over the summer months. In fact, I estimate we have saved much more power than we have generated. Education has been able to accomplish as much as thousands of dollars worth of equipment, in effect doubling the impact of our array!