|
Solar panel installed at school
A solar panel was installed at the Cuyuna Range Elementary School. The panel is a result of applied learning in Jeff Sipper's fifth-grade class through the Polar Husky program that students study in conjunction with the University of Minnesota's College of Education and Human Development.
It is a dream of one student in particular, Austin Rasmussen, now a sixth-grader. After studying alternative energy sources and climate change, Austin researched the possibility of placing a solar panel at the Cuyuna Range Elementary School. In cooperation with local businesses and funding partners, this dream was realized. The solar panel project follows a previous campaign by CRES fifth-graders in which they worked with local businesses and organizations for the sale of compact fluorescent light bulbs in the spring of 2006.
Austin; Jay Idzorek, Green Range Renewable Energy, who volunteered his time and expertise to meet with students over the course of the school year; Sipper; Kryston Wiseley, Sam Forde, Riley Jacobs and other students in the Cuyuna Range Solar Club met during late winter and early spring of 2007 to pursue the idea of having a solar panel installed at the elementary school.
It was quickly determined that fundraising alone would not accomplish the goal. Idzorek, Sipper and students in the Solar Club pursued energy grants to bring this dream to reality. To date, grants totaling $12,580 have been obtained and construction on the panel began in May.
Funding partners include Minnesota Department of Commerce Solar Rebate Fund $2,640, Minnesota Solar Rebate Fund $2,640, Brainerd Community Action Youth as Resources $3,000, Bay Lake Lions $300, Happy Dancing Turtle-Hunt Utility Group $2,000 and the Hallett Trust $2,000.
Steve Goshey, Spruce Electric, will run and hook up the electrical lines.
A dedication ceremony was Tuesday.
To Subscribe to the Brainerd Dispatch, Click Here.
Note: Comments are not edited and don't represent the views of The Brainerd Dispatch. Please read our posting rules in the terms of service policy. To report a post that may be inappropriate, click the triangle alert icon.
|
|
