Solar in Schools Program
Solar Panels at Westwood Middle School
Students in two area middle schools are using a new interactive teaching tool. Two solar electric systems have been installed at Kanapaha and Westwood Middle Schools. The Solar in Schools program provides students an opportunity to take a hands-on approach to solar energy and learn how to incorporate solar energy into their lifestyle.
The on line systems (1680 watts each or enough wattage to operate a microwave) generate approximately 238kWH/month per system. The power generated from the systems is put on our electric system grid. Credit for power from these systems is provided to the School Board of Alachua County (SBAC) in consideration for the School Board’s consent to site the facilities on their property and provide the provision of communication services to transport data from the systems to the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC).
The FSEC developed a curriculum “Solar Matters” as part of a science unit for students. Teachers have been trained on the curriculum and use kits provided by GRU to present the material. Students are able to log onto computers and see how much power the solar panel at their respective school has generated, monitor and track the influence of weather events and study outcomes through an FSEC internet link.
The solar panels were funded through an existing solar contribution fund, a grant from the FSEC and GRU.
FSEC monitors the systems and provides data on their Web site to integrate with the curriculum.
View the data at Kanapaha Middle School
View the data at Westwood Middle School
Signage posted at both Kanapaha and Westwood Middle Schools about the solar project.
