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White Paper for Sustainable
Architecture
Earthpledge
Foundation
May
5, 2000
Energy
Energy has become critical to the functioning of our society.
Our energy choices have major implications on the environment
and our economy. We currently rely on non-renewable oil,
gas and coal which were formed over millions of years
from plant and animal remains. The burning of these carbon
based fossil fuels for energy produce air pollution, acid
rain, ozone depletion and global warming.
The effects of global warming are most disturbing and
are already being felt around the world in the form of
severe storms, droughts, floods and unprecedented heat
waves. The past ten years have been the warmest years
on record with 1998 being the warmest. The polar icecaps
have been melting at an alarming rate and the potential
for rising sea levels is real and could make large heavily
populated coastal area uninhabitable.
Nuclear energy long thought to be the solution to our
energy needs has become a nightmare for politicians trying
to find a safe permanent storage facility for the spent
fuel rods. The specter of a nuclear accident similar to
Chernobyl looms larger every year as our nuclear reactors
age.
Our ability to maintain our standard of living into the
next century will depend in part on our ability to shift
our primary energy use from carbon based fuels to clean
and abundant renewable sources such as Wind, Solar, Hydrogen
and Biomass. Many countries especially in Europe and Japan
have already begun this shift by investing in these proven
technologies.
One of the most promising is Photovoltaics (PV). Developed
originally for the space program in the 1950's, Photovoltaic
systems are now used in countless applications to provide
clean power at the point of use. Silicon based PV cells
convert sunlight directly into electricity. There is no
pollution no moving parts and no maintenance. On building,
these systems can provide all or a portion of the electrical
loads.
We are now moving from a oil and coal based "centralized
utility monopoly" of power to a "distributed
generation system" which favors cleaner burning natural
gas. Most states have or are now in the process of deregulating
the utility industry. For the first time people will be
able to choose their electricity provider and most providers
will be required to disclose their means of generation.
Given a choice and the correct information, most people
will choose clean energy.
Costs for the solar are still high but it is expected
that as demand increases prices will drop which will eventually
make the solar option available to all. Government subsidies
for solar would help in the short term but there is little
evidence that they are coming. In order to increase public
demand, education is considered critical to make people
aware that they have options and that their actions can
make a difference.
Solar on Schools
In the interest educating the public and moving solar
technologies into the market, Solar Works, Inc., a leading
renewable energy services provider since 1980, has initiated
a "Solar on Schools" program. In this program,
roof mounted or "roof integrated" PV systems
are being placed on public and private schools as well
as colleges throughout New England to demonstrate the
economic and environmental benefits solar electric systems
can provide.
Schools, being natural centers for learning and community
activity, are ideal sites for the first PV systems. Since
the program beginning in 1998, Solar Works has installed
12 PV systems on educational facilities across New England,
ranging from a 300-watt system at an environmental education
center in Concord, NH to a 6 kW system at the University
of Vermont in Burlington.
Educational resource materials and training on renewable
energy are also made available as part of the program.
Initial resources will include access to Solar Quest,
an internet site linking solar schools across the country,
a subscription to Solar Today, several CD ROMs about renewable
energy, demonstration PV modules for use in classroom
experiments and a host of interactive classroom and field
exercises.
The overall goal of "Solar on Schools" is to
create opportunities for students, teachers and the general
public to learn firsthand about the environmental and
economic benefits of renewable energy technologies. The
program has four primary goals:
Teach Connecticut students about the practical applications
of solar and other renewable energy systems through hands-on
classroom exercises, Internet activities, seminars and
scientific research projects.
Provide students and community members with opportunities
to learn about the economic and environmental benefits
of renewable energy resources and the ability of these
resources to meet a portion of Connecticut's daily electrical
needs.
Expand public awareness of the important role of solar
energy in controlling global warming and reducing our
reliance on non-renewable fossil fuels.
Link schools, electric utilities, state agencies, environmental
groups and local businesses in partnerships that promote
energy efficiency and sustainable development in Connecticut.
The program will also allow participation in the national
"Million Solar Roofs Program" announced by President
Clinton in 1997. Any school that installs a 1 kW or larger
grid-tied system will receive a Certificate from the Department
of Energy. The goal of this program is to have one million
or more solar systems installed on rooftops across America
by 2010.
Schools wishing to participate in the program must demonstrate
a strong commitment to educating students and the broader
community. Each selected school must:
1) Select a coordinator who will become the project champion
within their school.
2) Identify the role that students will play in utilizing
the system.
3) Commit to hold at least one public event per year that
informs the community about renewable energy.
4) Agree to provide at least $2,000 in matching funds
towards the total system cost.
Each program seeks to form partnerships between state
energy offices, education departments, private companies,
utilities, foundations and environmental organizations.
Funding for the projects are usually from a combination
of these partners as well as from the schools themselves.
All contributions are tax deductible through "Sunergy,
Inc", a non-profit subsidiary of Solar Works, Inc.
Solar on Schools is a successful program that is inspiring
the hope and creativity of a new generation of citizens.
Children exposed to solar energy education understand
it's value and are inspired to take the message home to
their parents. As adults, these individuals will have
the information they need to make responsible decisions
about their energy choices.
There are currently similar Solar on Schools programs
in over twenty five states around the country. The Interstate
Renewable Energy Council has compiled a list of these
that is available on their website at http://www.eren.doe.gov/solarschools/
SolarQuest's website is http://www.solarquest.com |
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