Solar panel energizes teachers and students
A solar panel installed this past summer at Augusta's Sego Middle School was expected to reap big benefits in science and technology classes, but the 1.4 kW photovoltaic system is yielding other unexpected results.
"The panel has proven to be a great way for us to integrate math and science throughout our curriculum," said science teacher Barbara Adjer. "It's helped all our teachers work together more in coordinating lesson plans. We feel blessed to have had this donated by Georgia Power."
Sego is one of the first schools in the state to partner with Georgia Power in the solar-for-schools project. The company became involved in the program to promote both the education and understanding of alternate forms of energy as well as the company's Green Energy program, explained Doug Akin, green product manager.
"We wanted to create a win-win situation. The schools obviously win with the presence of a working solar system that provides real-time data. Georgia Power wins with the extra visibility on its Green Energy program," Akin said.
Plans call for solar panels to be installed at schools in each of Georgia Power's regions. Installation was recently completed at both Jenkins High School in Coastal region and Barnett Shoals Elementary in Northeast region, with the work still pending in all others.
Sego in East region was selected in part because of the school's existing relationship with region management, coupled with an enthusiastic principal who fully embraced the project, explained Walter Dukes, region vice president.
"Having the panel here is inspiring to these kids, who normally wouldn't be exposed to something like this," Dukes said. "It gives them a sense of pride."
"Each of these systems should be around for many years, and each year, a new group of students, and their parents, will be introduced to the program," Akin added.
The hope is that projects such as this will inspire this next generation to be interested in engineering, science and energy in general, said Liz Philpot, a principal engineer at Southern Company.
Philpot spent a day with Sego teachers last summer, giving them a crash course in solar technology. Liz Buice, a math/science program specialist from the state's Department of Education, was also on hand to discuss ways the teachers could integrate lessons about the solar panel into their prescribed curriculums.
The panel and the amount of energy being produced can be viewed real-time via an Internet site. The information must be calculated, leading to numerous learning opportunities, Buice explained.
"What I like about this program is that it's real. Energy is a real topic, and this is current and now," Buice said. "It will mean so much more to the children."
The teachers were interested and asked lots of questions, but were a little disappointed to learn the small amount of electricity the solar panel generates likely won't make a difference in Sego's electric bill.
Students are mostly intrigued by the sleek, futuristic-looking device. It's already prompting some to think about the origin of the electricity they used to take for granted.
"I'm more interested in learning about clean ways to get electricity," said student Amber Van Winkle.
