More About SchoolPower Naturally^SM

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Features available to all schools:

• A broad range of age-appropriate and multidisciplinary PV curricular materials for a variety of subjects (including social studies, math, chemistry and earth science) that meet specific NYS educational requirements; these materials are downloadable from and integrate use of the data from the solar panels and weather station into existing curricula testing

• Downloadable performance data from the program Web site for each individual school as well as all fifty schools in aggregate

• In addition to the main curricular materials on the Web site, lesson plans are provided for use with small PV demonstration kits you assemble yourself

• The opportunity to become a "Solar Buddy" school. One or more nonparticipating schools will be partnered with a school that installed one of the 2-kW PV Systems until each of the fifty schools has a Solar Buddy

• Information about participating in the Junior Solar Sprint (a model solar car curriculum and competition) in New York

Additional Features at Schools Receiving Equipment:

In addition to the program features available to all schools in New York , each of the 50 schools selected for this program receive the following:

• A 2 kW PV solar energy system

• A data acquisition system including weather instrumentation and recording equipment to record performance data from the PV System

• Software to display the data in the classroom.

• Teacher training in the use of the curricular materials.

• Small PV demonstration kits for hands-on classroom instruction

• A Solar Outreach Kit that describes a range of public outreach strategies and solar-related activities that the school can use to involve interested citizens, community groups, and other organizations

• Assistance in hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the community.

• Opportunities to participate in solar education conferences with other participating and nonparticipating schools

• A Solar Buddy school to exchange information and promote learning.

School Power...Naturally^SM Partners

• Solar Works, Inc. is managing the School Power...Naturally SM Program for NYSERDA and is responsible for installing the PV systems and training school personnel in routine maintenance. Solar Works, Inc., a full-service renewable energy service firm specializing in photovoltaic installation projects, was selected through a competitive process by NYSERDA to administer the program. They are also helping with a public awareness campaign and PV workshops.

• Heliotronics, Inc . is providing the instrumentation and educational software to collect and analyze the data that describe the performance of the PV system; amount of electricity generated, temperature of the PV system, air temperature, and wind speed. This information will be available to any interested school.

• The Research Foundation of the State University of New York (SUNY) is preparing grade-appropriate interdisciplinary curricula to support the program and is training teachers how to use them. Lessons will build on students' knowledge and skills in science, math, environmental, and even history classes.

• AMERESCO,an energy services company partnering with NYSERDA, is contributing $500 per installation to the schools, reducing each school's financial commitment to only $1,500.

• The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) is assisting with educational materials and planning teacher-training events.

• Creighton Manning Engineering is providing administrative assistance.

• Volunteer Solar Coordinators are on-the-ground workers who promote the program, encourage interdisciplinary learning, and host community-based events.

Contacts

Questions for Solar Works from participating schools may be directed to the following:

General Inquiries:

17 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203-6399    Toll-Free: 1-866-NYSERDA or Local: 518-862-1090    Fax: 518-862-1091
New York City and Buffalo Regional Offices

© 2004 New York State Energy Research and Development Authority