Carson Middle School Goes Green with Photovoltaic Solar Panels

In spring 2009, Rachel Carson Middle School science teacher Kirk Treakle challenged students to choose an environmental topic to study and research.

The project was to make an impact in some way, and it certainly has. Thirteen students chose solar energy, specifically photovoltaic solar. Although those eighth graders are now in high school, the science project continued through the efforts of the school’s Going Green Club. Eleven working solar panels now grace the roof of Carson Middle School. The 2.6-kilowatt system has already generated more than 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity.  

“The students did a lot to make this happen. They made a video, a brochure, a website and a model. They presented their project at the school’s Showcase Night when parents come in to see different things the students are doing. They presented at the school’s PTA who gave us a generous donation,” said Treakle, who has since become the school librarian.

The business community supported the project. Grants came in from Dominion Power, the Earth Day Network, Lowe’s and InterfaceFLOR. Donations came from InScope International, Katydid Inc. and individuals.

No taxpayer money was used to purchase and install the panels. The electricity produced by the panels helps lower pollution by decreasing the amount of electricity that must be generated by other means. The system is “grid-tied” and produces less than one percent of the needs of the school, but it is enough to power a house for more than a month.

Continuous information about the electricity being produced can be seen online, by clicking here.

This online data logger shows the eleven panels at the bottom of the screen. The kilowatt-hours are shown on the upper left corner. It is the sum of kilowatt-hours, “the amount of energy we produce in an hour.”

“We use this data logger when all science classes, over 600 students, come for a solar energy workshop,” Treakle said. All current eighth grade students use the data logger as part of the science curriculum and standards of learning about environmental education, energy and electricity.

The original student group came up with the name “Carson FREE” which stands for Future Renewable Energy Effort. They looked to several different forms of renewable energy to be used at the school. Going Green Club members continue researching wind, geothermal, solar thermal and algae oil for future projects.

For more information about the CarsonFREE website, visit http://carsonfree.synthasite.com.