RICHMOND, Va., March 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As Dominion
continues to dramatically expand its solar power infrastructure in
Virginia, it will more than double
the number of sites for its innovative Dominion Solar for Schools
program. Sponsored by the Dominion Foundation, the program offers
K-12 students and educators alike a hands-on learning experience to
generate electricity from a solar array installed on school
grounds. Each participating organization will receive training
sessions and curriculum on harnessing solar energy.
The expansion of Solar for Schools occurs as Dominion's solar
investment in Virginia approaches $1 billion, with a dozen new
solar projects being built, enough to power 100,000
homes.
The Dominion Foundation is currently seeking applications from
K-12 public schools or museums with STEM
(science/technology/engineering/math) programming in areas served
by Dominion Virginia Power. The Foundation will select six
organizations to receive a 1.2 kilowatt photovoltaic system that
converts sunlight into electric power. During the 2015-16 school
year, four schools participated in the program pilot.
"We are very pleased to build on the success of our Solar for
Schools pilot," said Hunter A.
Applewhite, president of the Dominion Foundation. "This year
we are expanding the program's reach to give more students and the
public the opportunity for a hands-on learning experience with
clean, renewable solar energy." The Dominion Foundation is the
philanthropic arm of Dominion Resources.
Dominion will once again partner with the National Energy
Education Development, or NEED, Project. NEED supports Solar for
Schools by providing technical support, installing the panels,
preparing educational materials for students, and training the
teachers.
Each solar array will have a visual display that will show
students and faculty real-time data on the amount of electricity
generated. Each solar array will generate enough electricity to
power 18 desktop computers, 40 ten-gallon aquariums, or 15 42-inch
LED televisions. In a new component to the program, students will
have a hand in branding their array with school colors or other
designs.
The company will accept applications for the Dominion Solar for
Schools program through April 28 and
announce the recipients in September. Solar installations will take
place during the 2017-18 school year. Dominion will sponsor a
"Solarbration" at each location to kick off and showcase the
project.
For more information or to apply, visit
www.dom.com/solarschools. For highlights of the program, watch the
Dominion Solar for Schools 2017 video.
Dominion (NYSE: D), headquartered in Richmond, is one of the nation's largest
producers and transporters of energy. The Dominion Foundation is
dedicated to improving the physical, social and economic well-being
of the communities served by Dominion companies, including Dominion
Virginia Power. The Foundation supports nonprofit causes that meet
basic human needs, protect the environment, promote education and
encourage community vitality. For more information, visit
www.dom.com.
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SOURCE Dominion Virginia Power