September 16, 2002—The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is sponsoring an opportunity for schools to own and use a 2-kW grid-tied solar electric photovoltaic system (“PV System”) as part of a four-year educational program called “School Power—Naturally.”
A solar electric photovoltaic system converts sunlight directly into electricity without pollution. A 2-kW system is appropriate for educational purposes – it makes enough energy to provide about half of the energy needed by a typical home.
Solar Works, Inc. will be designing, installing, and servicing the PV Systems on behalf of NYSERDA. Solar Works leads a team for the program that includes the Research Foundation of the State University of New York (SUNY). SUNY will be developing the curricular materials.
This fully installed PV System ($20,000 value) costs $1,500 and includes weather instrumentation, equipment that records output from the PV System, and ongoing service through June, 2006. Also included is a range of age-appropriate and multi-disciplinary PV curricular materials that will integrate use of the PV System and weather station into existing curricula.
NYSERDA, as administrator of the New York Energy $mart (System Benefits Charge or “SBC”) program, has designed this program to raise awareness and increase the adoption of renewable energy technologies in New York State.
