In 2011, we installed a 138 kW photovoltaic energy project at Waialae Elementary School.
Last Friday, we traveled to Waialae Elementary Public Charter School to meet with the students who use the school every day to show them photos of their new PV system and explain how it works, teaching about the importance of renewable energy and why energy conservation is so important to our islands and to the world.
We also kicked off and will be sponsoring a school-wide art and poetry contest and will be awarding students and displaying entries at the school’s annual Fun Fair in February!
The Energy Art & Poetry Contest for the school’s 460 students, from kindergarten to fifth grade. Students will compete on a grade level basis and will be asked to submit either a poster or poem that portrays environmental problems related to energy and what they can do be part of the solution. A Sunetric team will judge the entries and the winner for each grade level will be announced at the school’s annual Fun Fair on Saturday, February 25th; each winner will receive an iPod, courtesy of Sunetric. In addition, the company will donate $500 of referral fees to the school for each Waialae Elementary family that goes solar with Sunetric this school year.
“This partnership with Sunetric enables us to put our words into action and help demonstrate to our students the importance of being socially and environmentally responsible,” said Waialae Elementary School Principal Wendy Lagareta, “and with our recent PV system installation, we want our students to take pride in our school’s efforts in being green.”
The photovoltaic energy system at Waialae Elementary generates an average of 19,500 kWh of electricity per month, yielding monthly savings of nearly $1,000. With energy and cost savings, the school is estimated to prevent annual greenhouse gas emissions from 32 passenger vehicles and CO2 emissions from 375 barrels of oil each year.
“We’re extremely grateful for partnerships such as these. Having the opportunity to educate Hawaii’s youth is a vital step in helping to create a more sustainable future.” — Sunetric CEO Alex Tiller
Check out more photos from the event on Facebook!
KHON2: Be Green 2: Public charter school sets example for going green
