This week the
Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) district is celebrating its energy strides thanks to the new 5kW solar arrays that are up and running at four local schools.
The
systems were showcased this week with a rooftop tour at Pillsbury
Elementary School in Northeast Minneapolis, where a solar display is
highly visible, plus a demonstration of related curriculum.
Minneapolis,
Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. schools got solar
arrays through a $1.2 million "Solar Schools" grant from several donors,
according to Clyde Kane, who is the MPS assistant director of
facilities and manager of design and construction.
"Solar Schools" funders include
Walmart,
NEED, and the
Foundation for Environmental Education.
Pillsbury,
South High School, Seward Montessori, and Floyd B. Olson Middle School
installed the solar arrays in November 2010, though the celebration was
postponed until the weather improved, he says.
District officials
chose the recipient schools based on their science focus, while also
striving to represent several quadrants of the city, he says.
Besides
the environmental and financial benefits, the solar arrays are a
teaching tool. As a part of the program, 30 Minneapolis teachers from
the participating schools were trained on the related curriculum that
helps students understand how solar energy works, he says.
Through
the curriculum's interactive components, students can monitor their
school's energy savings and even check on its progress alongside othe schools across the nation.
Pillsbury's data for example, is posted
online, which links to other Solar Schools.
Since
the beginning of the year, Pillsbury has saved $1,317 in electricity
costs, according to Kane. It's also reduced its carbon dioxide emissions
by 4,773 pounds, the website shows.
Altogether the four MPS schools have saved $5,491 since January, he says.
Source: Clyde Kane, assistant director of facilities and manager of design and construction, Minneapolis Public Schools
Writer: Anna Pratt