Excelsior Academy is just about ready to unveil it’s latest addition—a rooftop object lesson on sustainability.
The charter school is always looking for new ways to make the school’s science curriculum—which frequently raises issues of sustainability—more applicable to students, said Audrey Bell, administrative director for Excelsior Academy.
With that in mind, the school applied to Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky initiative in August 2012, and last March received a nearly $50,000 grant to install 56 solar panels on the school’s roof.
The solar panels, which were installed by Intermountain Wind and Solar, should be ready to go after one last inspection, Bell said. When operational, the solar panels could save the school 5 to10 percent on its electric bills, depending on daily weather conditions.
“Something we strive for is to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Bell, adding that the school also takes measures to reduce paper use and encourage recycling. “It was just a natural direction for us.”
The new setup will also include a live interface that will display details about the panels’ productivity in the school’s front office.
“It is a great way to teach students,” added Bell. “When students can see it in action at school, it makes it easier to make those changes at home.”