Dominion Energy is adding 16 new schools to its Solar for Students Program, giving students across Virginia and the Carolinas a hands-on experience with solar energy.

Nine schools in Virginia, one in North Carolina and six in South Carolina will have the unique chance to learn firsthand about harnessing solar energy from a solar array installed right outside the classroom. The program, which started in 2015 with four public schools, now includes a museum and 33 different schools.

“We’re excited to provide the opportunity for more children to learn about solar energy,” said Hunter A. Applewhite, president of the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation. “This program will give students a better understanding of a renewable energy source that will play an important role in a clean energy future.”

The following organizations have been selected to participate in Solar for Students:

• Advanced Career Education Center (ACE) at Highland Springs (Henrico County, VA)
• Bowen’s Corner Elementary School (Berkeley County, SC)
• Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, Career Tech Academy (Halifax County, VA)
• C.S. Brown High School STEM (Hertford County, NC)
• Dinwiddie High School (Dinwiddie County, VA)
• Eau Claire High School (Richland County, SC)
• Gilbert High School (Lexington County, SC)
• Great Bridge Middle School (Chesapeake City, VA)
• Irmo High School (Lexington County, SC)
• Louisa Middle School (Louisa County, VA)
• New Horizons Regional Education Centers (Hampton, VA)
• Port Royal Sound Foundation (Beaufort County, SC)
• Quioccasin Middle School (Henrico County, VA)
• Riverside High School (Loudoun County, VA)
• Dent Middle School (Richland County, SC)
• Spratley Gifted Center/ Hampton City Schools (Hampton, VA)

Each participating school will receive a 1.2-kilowatt photovoltaic system, as well as technical support, educational materials and training for educators. Each solar array will have a visual display that shows students and faculty real-time data on the amount of electricity generated. Each array will generate enough electricity to power up to 18 desktop computers, 40 ten-gallon aquariums or 15 42-inch LED televisions.

The NEED Project (National Energy Education Development) will administer the program once again by providing technical support, coordinating the installation of solar panels, preparing educational materials for students, and training the teachers.

Students will be able to track the generation of electric power by viewing their data online and can challenge other participating schools around the world to a solar power match. They will learn about their state’s energy resources and how weather and temperature impact solar electricity. Students will also help choose school colors or other designs for their solar array.

After the solar installations are completed, the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation will sponsor a “Solarbration” at each location to showcase the solar projects and give students, local officials and community members the chance to learn more about this collaborative learning project.

News item from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation