Schools get solar systems from stimulus funds

[The Straight Story]

Schools get solar systems from stimulus funds

Pear Park and Dos Rios elementary schools will install new energy-efficient technology next year, thanks to a $103,152 grant.

The district will use a grant from the New Energy Economic Development, or NEED, program to buy and install Solatube technology atop the schools.

Solatube systems consist of placing tubes that look like skylights on the roof of a building. The structures contain mirrors that tip as the sun moves across the sky to bring the maximum amount of sunlight into a room during daylight hours. The sunlight is spread throughout the room and can substitute for electrical lights on sunny days.

The tubes will be installed at the end of next summer, according to Cal Clark, School District 51’s director of maintenance and operations.

Around the same time, the district will complete an ongoing energy-efficiency project that involves refitting light fixtures and replacing out-of-date systems such as boilers. The project could save as much as 15 percent on the district’s utility bills. The district also has six Energy Star-certified schools, and another 20 to 22 schools are near certification, Clark said.

http://fwix.com/share/88_4cdae2a9cd

[midnight]

1. Very nice....

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. Louisiana will pay homeowners for 50% of the cost of a solar

energy installation.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

3. I thought they would get an orrery.

One of these:

[Chemisse]

4. Haha! That is what I was thinking too.

Good plan though. That is how I was hoping Obama would use the stimulus funds (although I was actually hoping homes could get some solar windows installed).

[HughMoran]

6. Ha! I was thinking the same...

:)

[rug]

5. No wonder the country is going bankrupt.