We depend on the sun for many wonderful things - sun-dried tomatoes, raisins, solar-powered calculators and sun brewed tea to name a few.

The sun is a powerful source of energy, so great that it gives off 40,000 watts of light from every square inch of its surface. In a year's time, it showers the earth with 1,000 times the energy released by burning all fossil fuels mined and extracted. Now, Jackson EMC and Green Power EMC bring the wonders of the sun to the classroom with the Sun Power for Schools Program.

Green Power's new program partners with middle and high schools to install a one-kilowatt grid-tied photovoltaic system to harness energy from the sun. The system provides online data monitoring to the classroom. This program is the first statewide academic program to feature the benefits of solar energy in the curriculum. In conjunction with Green Power, Jackson EMC installed the system at Mill Creek High School in Gwinnett County.

Teachers use the system and collected grid data to instruct students in math and science lessons, and other applied areas. Complete with labs, class activities and hands-on experiments, the Sun Power for Schools program empowers students to learn more about solar energy. Alan Shedd, Jackson EMC Commercial/Industrial engineer says, "This program brings an important emerging energy technology to the classroom. The hands-on experience the students will gain prepares them for their energy future."

Statewide, 16 schools are expected to have solar photovoltaic systems installed by a Green Power EMC member. Mill Creek's data is posted online along with other schools participating in similar projects across the nation. In March, the site http://view2.fatspaniel.net/SSH/MainView.jsp showed a collective 115,075 kWh since its installation in 2003 - the equivalent to power plant emissions created to supply 2,290 homes with energy for one day.

Solar Power for Schools is funded by Green Power's Research and Development (R&D) fund. Every $0.005/kWh of green power sold goes into the R&D fund to offset costs for the development of new resources and technologies. Members who subscribe to Green Power are not only helping the environment, but also helping develop new programs to create awareness and educate students.

Whether you're enjoying a day at the beach or planting a garden, the sun's presence plays a vital role in our lives.

Now Jackson EMC and Green Power are looking to the sun to generate young minds. If you'd like to know more about Green Power and the Sun Power for Schools program, see the Green Power pages.

How It Works:

The solar photovoltaic electric generation process starts with the sun. The sun radiates energy onto the photovoltaic modules. The solar radiation is converted into electricity, and a stream of direct current is produced. Next, the direct current is converted to alternating current (AC). Power is then ready for distribution. Most electrical devices such as lights and computers use AC electrcity. The energy from Mill Creek's system is fed into the school's electrical system.