Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:17:00
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| Article by:
Jason Wyman
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 Solar panels at Rosa Parks Elementary in San Francisco. Photo by Matt Lehman |
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By Jason Wyman
In the fight for renewable energy, energy efficiency and education, Pacific Gas and Electric is leading the way through its Solar Schools Program – a nationally-recognized program for teaching the value of renewable energy.
Since its inception in 2004, the Solar Schools program has provided more than $8 million to support solar installations in 125 schools throughout Northern and Central California. It also has trained more than 3,000 teachers, benefitting more than 200,000 students.
PG&E recognizes that California’s schools face unprecedented financial challenges. Through PG&E’s Solar Schools Program, schools can receive a 1.3-kilowatt solar generation system, a solar-based curriculum-training package, workshops for teachers and/or Bright Ideas grants. The solar panel generates enough energy to provide the power needs of an entire classroom resulting in a smaller carbon footprint and lower energy costs.
PG&E partners with the National Energy Education Development Project on the program’s curriculum and training. It also administers the Bright Ideas grants. These additional resources help ensure the long-term sustainability of energy education within the school and empower students to become future leaders in renewable energy.
“We are proud to inform, inspire and support the education of our future leaders,” said Ophelia Basgal, vice president of Civic Partnerships and Community Initiatives at PG&E. “These students are learning how to make real contributions in the advancement of renewable energy and the fight against climate change. We thank the participating schools who make this possible with their commitment and dedication.”
In San Francisco, PG&E has donated more than $550,000 for solar installations at 22 schools in the city and $47,800 in Bright Ideas Grants to 10 schools, and has provided training to 158 teachers in the city. Each teacher received more than $1,000 in kits and curriculum.
The purpose of the Bright Ideas grants is to deepen the understanding of renewable energy. Up to $10,000 is awarded to credentialed teachers, professors, instructors, principals, deans, department heads, district administrators and facilities managers within five major categories: Educational solar projects; youth energy and environmental programs; renewable energy or science-related field trips; Green Your School projects; and professional development/service learning projects/workforce development programs.
Sherman Elementary School and Mission High School are the two recipients of the 2009 San Francisco Bright Ideas grants. The 2008 recipients of Solar Schools and Bright Ideas grants are Cesar Chavez Elementary School, Commodore Sloat Elementary School, Everett Middle School, Monroe Elementary School and Visitacion Valley School.
Sherman Elementary plans to construct a Solar Education Center, which will enable it to provide nutrition and garden education and seed starting cold frames. This is all part of the school’s commitment to environmental education. Since the Green Schoolyards Bond passed in 2003, Sherman has had a living and growing green schoolyard that provides its students with both learning and playing opportunities. PG&E’s Bright Ideas grant will enable it to continue its dedication to empowering and educating the next generation of environmental stewards.
“PG&E’s Solar Schools Program brings together our commitment to renewable energy, energy efficiency and education in a way that benefits students, schools and the community,” PG&E spokeswoman Nicole Liebelt said. “In providing these grants, equipment and curriculum, we hope to help educate students on the benefits of clean, renewable energy sources like solar power and inspire them to become the inventors and scientists of tomorrow.”
For more information on PG&E, visit www.pge.com/about. For more information on the Solar Schools, visit www.californiasolarschools.org.
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