Suring High School wired for solar

Suring High School is the 54th high school to join the Wisconsin Public Service SolarWise for Schools program. Ten recently installed solar panels will provide the school with renewable energy from a 2.7 kilowatts photovoltaic system. The awning-type installation includes 10 photovoltaic panels each measuring 40 inches wide by 66 inches tall. The panels are mounted on the side of the school gymnasium on an angled aluminum racking system to get maximum exposure to the sun. In addition to the solar equipment, the high school has already received the SolarWise for Schools curriculum package to use for math, science and technical education in classroom study of renewable energy resources. The package gives students hands-on learning experiences with solar energy and other renewable energy resources. “Students in the district will be introduced to this energy-conserving project by having the opportunity to see, touch and collect data that may someday be a part of the their everyday lives. We thank Wisconsin Public Service for their generous donation and educational tool that will increase knowledge and challenge our students to think ‘green’ when making life long decisions,” said Kelly Casper, superintendent of Suring Public Schools. “SolarWise for Schools is the only program in the country that provides a fully functional photovoltaic system to each school, along with a complete science-based renewable energy curriculum, trains the teachers that use the program and hosts an annual Solar Olympics student competition for participating SolarWise Schools,” said Michael Moore, senior renewable and product services consultant at Wisconsin Public Service. Funds for the SolarWise program, including those used for the solar-electric hardware, installations and maintenance, come primarily from voluntary donations made by customers of Wisconsin Public Service to the WPS Community Foundation. About 2,400 customers contribute. The system at Suring High School is expected to save the school approximately $400 annually on its energy bill and provide enough electricity to power about four classrooms.