RICHMOND, Va., April 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion
Energy is expanding its Solar for Students program in Virginia to give more students the chance to
observe and learn how power is generated by the sun. The hands-on
learning program provides a permanent solar array right outside the
classroom and the materials, training and curriculum needed to
engage children in learning the science behind renewable
energy.
Solar for Students was introduced as a pilot at four schools
three years ago, and this year it is being introduced at five
schools and a children's museum. Dominion Energy and its partners
will host "Solarbration" events this spring to showcase the latest
solar projects and give students, local officials and others the
chance to learn more about this collaborative learning endeavor. In
addition, the company just announced plans to expand the program to
eight schools in Southwest
Virginia.
"We are very pleased to widen the scope of Solar for Students to
reach more students and more regions of Virginia," said Hunter
A. Applewhite, president of the Dominion Energy Charitable
Foundation. "The program has proven to be popular and well-received
by both educators and students. It offers the materials and means
to engage and teach young people the science behind generating
clean, renewable solar energy – an energy source that will play a
big part in their futures." Funding for Solar for Students is
provided through the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation.
Solar energy is growing rapidly in Virginia. Dominion Energy has invested nearly
$1 billion in solar projects since
2015 and currently has more than 27 projects operating or under
development. The company has long-range plans to bring 5,000
megawatts of renewable solar and wind power online, or enough to
power 1.25 million homes.
Solarbrations are being held this spring at:
- Charlottesville-Albemarle Technical Education Center
(Albemarle County)
- Children's Museum of Richmond
(Richmond)
- Deer Park Elementary School (Newport
News)
- Hampton High School (Hampton)
- Kenmore Middle School
(Arlington)
- MathScience Innovation Center (Henrico)
These schools in Southwest
Virginia will participate in Solar for Students during the
2018-19 schoolyear:
- Grundy High School (Buchanan County)
- Honaker Elementary School (Russell
County)
- John I. Burton High School
(Norton City)
- Lee County Career & Tech Center (Lee County)
- Ridgeview High School (Dickenson
County)
- Tazewell High School
(Tazewell County)
- Twin Springs High School (Scott
County)
- Union Elementary School (Wise
County)
Each Solar for Students participant receives a 1.2-kilowatt
photovoltaic system that converts sunlight into electric energy, as
well as technical support, educational materials and training for
educators. Each solar installation has a visual display in the
classroom showing real-time data on the electricity being
generated. Each array can generate enough electricity at
maximum output to power 18 desktop computers, 40 ten-gallon
aquariums or fifteen 42-inch LED televisions.
The NEED Project (National Energy Education Development)
administers the program by providing technical support,
coordinating the installation of solar panels, preparing
educational materials for students, and training the teachers.
Students can track the generation of electric power by viewing
their data online and can challenge other participating schools
around the world to a solar power match. Students will learn how
weather and temperature impact solar electricity production, and
they'll learn more about Virginia's energy resources.
For more on this program, visit
www.dominionenergy.com/solarforschools.
EDITORS: For photos/captions of recent Solarbration
events, visit our Media Downloads page.
About Dominion Energy
Dominion Energy (NYSE:D) is one
of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy.
The Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation is dedicated to
improving the physical, social and economic well-being of the
communities served by Dominion Energy. The Foundation supports
nonprofit causes that meet basic human needs, protect the
environment, promote education and encourage community vitality.
For more information about Dominion Energy, visit the company's
website at www.DominionEnergy.com.
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SOURCE Dominion Energy