Renewable inspiration

Cory Calkins (left) and Scott Weisse monitor the solar power system’s output at Stanwood High School. PHOTO BY ADAM STEWART | STANWOOD/CAMANO NEWS Scott Weisse and Cory Calkins have left their mark on Stanwood High School (SHS). Now they hope the sun shines down on it.

Senior students in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) department spearheaded a project to develop a solar panel on campus under the guidance of Ryan Ovenell, instructor for the agriculture/ natural resources program.

The process started last fall in the advanced natural resources class as students began studying sources of renewable energy and sustainable agriculture.

“Mr. Ovenell brought the idea to our attention,” said Calkins. “We thought it was a cool project; one that would leave a lasting impression.”

Weisse shared Calkins’ enthusiasm and the two dove into grant applications to Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF), managers of the Solar 4R Schools program.

What they thought was a hands-on project, quickly turned into a pile of paperwork.

“Writing the grant was long and grueling,” said Weisse.

But the two pushed through the application process and learned a valuable lesson.

Persistence pays off.

“Beyond learning about writing grants,” said Ovenell, “Scott and Cory learned that sometimes you have to sell yourself.”

Through multiple drafts of the grant, the students were able to link the agriculture department’s aquaculture program to the solar energy project, ultimately securing more than $15,000 worth of materials and curriculum aids to develop a community solar power demonstration.

As a result, their system directly offsets a portion of the operating costs associated with the aquaculture lab through the Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD), who provided funding in-part through their Planet Power program.

Ovenell believes the link between solar power and sustainable agriculture put the students’ application on top of the stack.

“Representatives from BEF came to the school for a site evaluation,” he said. “They liked the fact that energy produced from the system was tied back into the agriculture program.”

Construction began last spring and was completed in October. Now the project is fully operational. Eight 170- watt solar panels made of silicon work to create the 1.3-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system through a network of inverters.

Essentially, sunlight becomes electricity.

Because the system is for demonstration purposes, part of the grant requirements include community education.

BEF’s mission through Solar 4R Schools is to increase the visibility and public understanding of renewable energy by providing opportunities for schools, contractors, utilities and contractors to install and run grid-tied systems in a safe and efficient manner.

Weisse and Calkins now have to shift their focus to sharing information with classmates, younger students and the community.

To fulfill part of the requirement, the students have put together lesson plans and a presentation, Solar Energy Generation, for the Country Living Expo on Jan. 30 at SHS (see “Expo adds sustainability” in Home and Garden, page B2, for details).

The students have become the teachers, and they’re excited to share what they’ve learned.

“We’re looking forward to the expo,” said Calkins, “and the opportunity to teach adults.”

They’re also considering setting up a real-time data kiosk in the foyer of the high school to help other students recognize the power of renewable energy.

“Many students are unaware that we even have solar panels on campus,” said Weisse.

He hopes visible information will inspire younger students to enhance the project’s capabilities.

Our work may lead to more development on the system, as well as open the doors to other renewable energy sources such as wind power, added Calkins.

The kiosk would provide information such as output, amount of carbon dioxide avoided from potential fossilfueled sources used in its place, and how long the electricity gained could run an electric toothbrush, a 42-inch plasmascreen television or typical video game system.

The class project has turned into a stepping-stone for the entire school district on the subject of green practices.

Time and funding permitting, students in the agriculture/natural resources program plan to create a portable, scaled-down version of a solar panel system to provide lessons for elementary aged students in the area.

As the efficiency of solar panels increases, and the costs related to their production continues to drop, Weisse and Calkins recognize the importance of educating younger generations and the community. They would like to see their hard work pay off down the road by inspiring others.

“When you work hard,” said Calkins, “what you can accomplish is endless.”

For more information about Solar 4R Schools and to view streaming data on the solar power system at SHS, visit www.b-e-f.org/solar4rschools/schools/ stanwood-high-school.

Staff Reporter Adam Stewart: 629- 8066 ext. 115 or astewart@scnews. com.