Local schools have the opportunity to win up to $20,000 in funding for renewable energy systems.
Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE) work in bringing renewable energy demonstration systems to Washington state schools is expanding its reach this year. On Monday, the utility opened the application period for schools and, new to the program this year, select institutions that educate the public about renewable energy and the environment, to apply for a small scale solar array or wind turbine grant.
Between $5,000 and $20,000 in funding will be available for solar or wind turbine systems ranging from 900 watts to 2 kilowatts, to be installed in 2010.
PSE’s Solar Schools and Green Power programs have already funded 20 educational solar power projects in the Puget Sound region in the last six years, including projects at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery, and Liberty and Hazen high schools in nearby Renton.
The programs promote understanding and acceptance of renewable energy technologies and expand the range of options available to local educators, students, families and communities in PSE’s nine county electric service area.
This year, all institutions with a renewable energy education focus are now eligible to apply. Previously the program had only been open to school districts with Resource Conservation Managers.
Applicants will be required to have utilized a PSE energy efficiency program in the past 36 months.
An electronic application is available for online submittal. Applications can be found on PSE’s Web site at www.pse.com/community/educationalprograms.
Successful applicants will receive grants to fund renewable energy education demonstration projects at their educational facility.
In addition to the rooftop-mounted solar panels or wind turbines, the grants support Web based monitoring software that allows students and interested community members to track how much energy is being generated as the weather changes.
Also provided are educational materials and support including science teacher training, classroom activity guides and renewable energy science kits.
Small-scale renewable energy demonstration systems require no fuel and minimal maintenance while generating enough power, on average, to operate 10 to 20 notebook computers, each consuming 33 watts for eight hours a day. The wind and solar equipment has a typical system lifespan of 20 or more years.
Schools and education institutions qualifying for the grant will submit plans detailing their educational goals and objectives for a solar or wind demonstration project. All proposals must be received by PSE no later than 5 p.m. on March 22.
