Going Solar For Spring Break at Einstein

By Jen Chantrill, Project Coordinator

Galaxy Electric and Solar LLC

When Einstein Middle School students got back from Spring Break, for the most part, things were the same. They walked the same halls, stored their belongings in the same lockers, sat at the same desks and chairs, and received instruction from the same teachers. One thing was different, though and the only way everyone found out is they had to look up. Yes, that’s right. They looked on the roof.

While students were away for spring break, a 5kW Solar PV System was installed on the south-facing awning of the “L Building” at Einstein Middle School, located at 19343 3rd Avenue NW, Shoreline. The installation was a first for the Shoreline School District.

In addition to receiving a National Grant from the National Energy Education Development Project (NEED), this project was made possible through a collaborative partnership between the following community entities:

• Mike Nelson, Solar Power Advocate and students from Shoreline Community College’s Alternative Energy and Sustainable Building Program
• Seattle City Light Public Utility
• Galaxy Electric, a Licensed and Solar Certified Electrical Contractor based in Shoreline, WA

These organizations worked collaboratively with the Shoreline School District in order to educate and install an efficient Solar PV System that will not only produce electricity, but also be incorporated into environmental education for Einstein Students and the Shoreline Community.The commitment from the school will be that at least three staff members will participate in a training to learn about photovoltaic systems in order to gain knowledge about the benefits and technical aspects of the installed Solar PV System. Through this partnership, there will be no cost to the Shoreline School District.

One of the unique features about this installation is that the solar modules used in the project were produced by Silicon Energy, the only Solar Panel Manufacturing Facility in Washington. Because of this, the school will be able to claim the Washington State production incentives.

Numerous benefits become tangible when a project like this is executed. Environmental and Sustainable Education becomes more real for students in the classroom and teachers are able to adapt curriculum to educate on the exponential impacts of energy conservation and environmental impact.

Here’s to more community solar projects!

Photos courtesy Galaxy Electric