Flint Energies has installed a 1.2 kW photovoltaic (PV) system at Huntington Middle School in Warner Robins, Thomson Middle School in Centerville and coming soon to Marion County Middle High School in Buena Vista. It’s part of an initiative to teach tomorrow’s energy users about the power of solar. The $15K investment in solar energy education is a partnership between Flint Energies and Green Power EMC.
Why is Green Power EMC offering the Energy Education program?
Green Power EMC wants to educate the next generation of energy users about the benefits of renewable energy technologies. Member education is one of the seven principles of cooperatives. Electric cooperatives have a history of successful partnerships with schools.
Green Power EMC has taken a strong leadership role in helping make clean, renewable energy available to Georgia and is continuing to make strides in this area. Experience gained through the installation of small PV systems will help with future efforts.
What is solar energy?
Solar energy takes advantage of the sun’s energy to generate electricity or heat. It is a secure and clean energy source.
What are the benefits of solar energy?
Using solar energy reduces greenhouse gasses and pollution, preserves natural resources and reduces reliance on traditional energy sources.
What is a photovoltaic system and what does it do?
Photovoltaic (PV) systems convert light energy into electricity. The term “photo” is a stem from the Greek “phós,” which means light. “Volt” is named for Alessandro Volta (1745–1847), a pioneer in the study of electricity. “Photo-voltaic,” then could literally mean “light-electricity.”
Most commonly known as “solar cells,” PV systems are already an important part of our lives. The simplest systems power many of the small calculators and wrist watches we use every day.
Photovoltaic cells convert light energy into electricity at the atomic level. Although first discovered in 1839, the process of producing electric current in a solid material with the aid of sunlight was not truly understood for more than a hundred years.
Throughout the second half of the 20th century, the science has been refined and the process has been more fully explained. As a result, the cost of these devices has put them into the mainstream of modern energy producers. This was caused in part by advances in technology, where PV conversion efficiencies have improved considerably.
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