Some Tucson schools get solar system to save and to teach.

[havocmom]

Small step in a better direction. Always astounded that I didn't see solar panels everywhere in Tucson. This is a good step, reach the kids and maybe a few will be inspired to look away from traditional power plants and build better systems. Might also start some dinner table chats when the kids take the enthusiasm home. Maybe more parents will start to ask why solar can't be made easier to install/use. More interest could mean more pressure on the current (you should pardon the pun) power mongers to change their ways ;)

http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/metro/51206.php

<snip> Six Tucson schools will have solar energy systems installed over the next year to both save money on their electrical bills and teach students about renewable energy.

<snip> Hohokam Middle School, in the Tucson Unified District, flipped the switch on its new system Wednesday.

<snip> Twenty-eight silver-colored solar panels glinted in the sun. They sat atop the canopy covering the exterior walkway to the science wing.

<snip> "Many students don't know what solar panels look like, which is a travesty given we live in an area where the sun shines year-round," said Hohokam science teacher Ariana Wilder. "We can discuss directly how they'll benefit us in the school."

At this time when the news is so bad, I really needed this tiny bit of good news. When we can ignite the minds of a few young people, we might just help the world along in the right direction. Hope it brightens your week too.

hm

[phantom power]

1. Solar systems are becoming fairly turn-key. The inverters and

other electrical hardware are available off-the-shelf. There are companies that will install a solar system for you.

The big barrier is still economic. The payoff time is around 10 years, and most people don't stay in one house long enough to have a solar installation pay for itself.

I have this theory that if people more commonly stayed in one place for 20 years, solar might already be more popular.

[havocmom]

3. These were paid for by a special 'green fund' from Tucson Electric power

<snip> The money comes from TEP's Green Watts program - where residential customers can add an amount on top of their current monthly electrical bill. One hundred percent of that money is used to build solar facilities in Tucson.

The fact that some TEP customers would pay extra into a fund for greener energy is telling and should be played up. The system on the schools is said to have a 20 year payoff time, but I wonder about that. With ever increasing costs for traditional power sources...

I realize the big barrier is $$. That is what is cool about doing this in school. Get some kids to thinking on it and a few just might grow up and build a better mouse trap, err, power system.

There is a school on a major traffic artery (but not an affluent area) in Tucson that tore up some grass in front and put in a garden. All ages of kids did their parts to make it produce food and the teachers used it for all sorts of applied science lessons! The fact that it was highly visible in the city center also got more people thinking about doing a little gardening of their own.

Besides applied natural science, two other good lessons for inner city kids:

1) The way things are is not how they have to stay. Change is possible and YOU can do it!

2) Produce some of what you need; stop relying on, and forking over so much $$ to, The Man for the basics of life. The veggie garden puts food in their mouths, food they made themselves by applying knowledge and work.

The solar panels in schools will give them more food for thought: how to get out from under total corporate rule/reliance.

Some of the kids might just understand "Power to the People" and work towards that goal. I have faith in youngsters, when we take the time to teach them well and give them space to let their imaginations play.

[noamnety]

2. Earth ships and cob houses

http://www.gwizdala.art.pl/a3/home/earthship.html

I'd love to have one of the earthship houses.

[phantom power]

4. It's cool to have the entire house on direct-current. Removes the

need for an expensive inverter.