NCAT announces Iowa Sun4Schools recipients

Students at five Iowa schools will get an up-close look at energy from the sun next semester, thanks to a novel program created by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT).

The non-profit organization, which supports local solutions to solving the nation's energy needs, is partnering with Decorah Middle School, Grinnell Middle School, New Hampton Middle School, Scattergood Friends School in West Branch and Spencer Middle School to install solar arrays and provide educational resources for students and the community to learn more about solar power.

In addition to supplying 2 kW of electricity to the facility – about 25 percent of the energy needs of an average household – the photovoltaic (PV) solar arrays will serve as an educational and research tool. They're also a visible symbol of each school's commitment to saving energy and reducing its carbon footprint.

The “Iowa Sun4Schools” program was created to reward schools that have actively pursued energy saving measures in their facilities and selection criteria was based in part on the community participation in the schools' conservation efforts.

The selection committee for the Sun4Schools project included Patrician Higby, Energy Educator from the University of Northern Iowa's Center for Energy And Environmental Education, Tom Snyder, retired Dyersville science teacher and co-founder of the Iowa Renewable Energy Association, and Cathy Svejkovsky, a program specialist in NCAT's Butte, Montana headquarters.

“I was impressed not only by the strong commitment of schools to reduce their carbon footprint, but also by their creative plans for using solar energy as both a learning tool and a community showcase of renewable energy,” said Svejkovsky, who served as the organizer of the Montana Sun4Schools program, commented. “Even though we could award only five systems, all applicants should be proud of their applications and their environmental stewardship. I look forward to hearing about the positive impacts of the installed systems.”

The objective of the Sun4Schools program is not only to demonstrate the benefits of solar energy but also to provide a unique educational opportunity for students and their communities. The system will include web-based data collection equipment and an integrated curriculum for teachers to maximize the educational potential of the solar arrays.

A free community workshop about solar energy will be held in each community this summer when the arrays are installed.

The Iowa Sun4Schools project will have the added benefit of providing solar installation experience for local electricians, while helping to grow the market for solar in Iowa.

Funding for the solar projects is from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and is managed by the Iowa Office of Energy Independence.