First School District in America to Run on Commercial-Scale Wind and Solar Power
As reported in EcoWatch Journal by Ted Rose, the Upper Scioto Valley School District first made history in 2009 when it hosted what was then Ohio's largest on-site school wind installation. The above picture, taken from the journal, shows one of the 3 wind turbines.
The district made history again in May, when workers installed two solar systems that are expected to generate 169,000 kilowatt hours of clean electricity each year. The solar system functions alongside two 100kW wind turbines installed in the athletic fields behind the school in 2009.
It appears that Upper Scioto Valley School District has become a model for other districts and schools, proving that wind and solar installations don't just generate clean energy, these systems of harnessing energy from wind and sun are applicable, practical, and feasible as a means to significantly reduce, if not eliminate, the need for electricity generated by the burning of coal.
Most admirably, Upper Scioto Valley's clean energy initiatives are part of the districts effort to improve energy efficiency and serve as a model and living laboratory for its students and the surrounding community.
Switching to green energy is good both financially and educationally as customized curriculum helps bring renewable energy to life in the classroom for all the students who attend that school.
The installation of wind turbines and solar panels, plus the teaching of it, generate green jobs, not only in the energy industry, but in the field of education as well.
Students witness and learn the complex interaction of two different renewable generators right on site. This gives them the opportunity to explore the interactions of wind and solar energy production in real time, opening them to the idea of green industries and green jobs.
NexGen Energy Partners builds and operates its own systems, so the schools pay only for the energy the turbines and solar panels produce. Both systems receive support from the Ohio Department of Development 's Advanced Energy Fund and federal stimulus funds.
For more information, please visit the Distric or NexGen.
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