Green Power partners with schools to bring the sun’s energy to the classroom.

Jackson EMC and Green Power EMC are bringing the wonders of the sun to the classroom with the Sun Power for Schools Program.

Green Power's program partners with middle and high schools around the state to install a one-kilowatt photovoltaic system that harnesses energy from the sun and brings it into the classroom. This is the first statewide academic program to feature the benefits of solar energy in school curriculum. In cooperation with Green Power, Jackson EMC has installed the system at Mill Creek High School in Gwinnett County.

Teachers at partner Sun Power for Schools locations receive training about system operation, use of the data collection system, and available curriculum and classroom activities related to solar power, electricity, and energy. The Sun Power for Schools program provides teachers with labs, class activities and hands-on experiments. Online data monitoring provided by the photovoltaic system is used by teachers to instruct students in math, science and other related areas.

Statewide, Georgia electric cooperatives participating in the Green Power EMC program have installed solar photovoltaic systems  at 25 schools since 2005. The program could be expanded to other Green Power EMC members' schools in the future.

Anyone can participate in the Sun Power for Schools program by watching what's happening at a partner school. Check out the Mill Creek High School system by visiting the system's website. On the first screen, you'll find a description of the Mill Creek photovoltaic system and see the most recent online data monitoring of power generated by the site. By clicking on the "See detailed view" link at the lower right side of the page, you can find generation information for the week, month, year or lifetime of the project, as well as what that generation means in terms of power to typical homes or television operating time.

Sun 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.