Alder Creek Middle School

We are producing solar power at Alder Creek Middle School! Ten-64 watt panels are mounted in series on a pole with a tracking system in front of the school.  Within the school building there is a Sunny Boy inverter that is converting the DC power produced by the solar activated photovoltaic panels to the AC power needed to power the electrical system in the school.  This solar generated power is supplementing the power that ACMS gets from TDPUD.  It is a rather small system compared to the needs of our school, however, the system can be used as a teaching tool in classes, specifically, 6th grade Ecology.  A Sunny Boy Web Box was installed to transmit the production information via the web so that students can access the information for educational purposes.  Anyone can access daily and monthly production information at this link.

This system adds another example of energy efficiency to the many features of our school building. Generating solar power also provides both savings for the school’s electricity bill, as well as an educational tool that can be used for many activities.  Students at Alder Creek Middle School now have a tool to explore this alternative energy source in a variety of ways. Not only through the use of the web box production information, but also through the study of the tracking system, the exploration of the effect of sun angles on PV power production, electricity investigations, conservation of non-renewable energy sources, and exploration of alternative power production.The project was paid for by an A+ for Energy Grant from British Petroleum (BP) and local donations.  We have generous supporters; over 60 individuals and local businesses provided both monetary and/or in kind help.   Our own 6th grade students even participated by helping to dig a 75 foot/18 inch trench that had to be hand dug due to underground wiring hazards. We are very appreciative to all our donors and the helpful individuals that helped make this project possible.