Solar School in Zeeland

The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA) received a $5,000 Community Energy Project Grant from the Energy Office in October 2001 to demonstrate a 1 kW photovoltaic system at a Michigan school. GLREA worked with the Zeeland school district who provided $6,000 for the demonstration project. Cityside Middle School received the grid connected system which was supplied by Richard Orawiec of BTF Limited. The PV system uses 64 watt Unisolar modules manufactured in Michigan and includes a German made Sunny Boy grid tied inverter which transmits power from the solar array into the main electric distribution system of the school. Performance is monitored by the Sunny Boy control plus logger. The logger displays data on a computer station in the school technology lab and includes information on AC power, total hours of operation, temperature, solar insolation, and carbon offset (reduction of carbon dioxide that would otherwise be produced by fossil fuel power plants). The data will be used as a teaching tool and the school plans a link to its web site. Each year approximately 200 students at the middle school will learn about solar technology.
 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Richard Orawiec Backwards to the Future Ltd POB 409, Fennville, MI 49408 phone: (616) 236-6179 E-mail: btf@datawise.net

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Main Telephone Line: (517) 241-6228
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Energy Office, Department of Consumer and Industry Services
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