Molalla High School basks in clean energy glow

Community joins to dedicate new solar array, attend Clean Energy, Green Technology Fair

Molalla, Ore. — May 30, 2007 — The community of Molalla came together today to kick off a campaign to increase sustainability and support clean energy. Molalla High School dedicated its new 1-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system and hosted a Clean Energy, Green Technology Fair featuring 16 exhibits by local companies.

Molalla High School faculty champion Joe Zenisek has ambitious goals for the school’s solar energy project, which he has dubbed Pipa Y’ai (“Sun for Man” in Molalla tribal dialect). “I hope the project will encourage the entire school district to support our commitment to sustainability that is inspired in large part by the Sustainable Oregon Schools Initiative, and to move the greater Molalla community to embrace renewable energy,” said Zenisek.

Portland General Electric (PGE), Energy Trust of Oregon, and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) have collaborated to introduce solar power to the Molalla High School students, teachers, and community.

“This project will educate Molalla’s students about the enormous potential of solar energy,” said Kacia Brockman, Energy Trust solar program manager. “That awareness will be critical to meeting our state’s long-term renewable energy goals. We are excited by the enthusiasm that the Molalla teachers and students have shown for using their solar electric system as an educational tool.” Energy Trust provided financial support for the high school’s solar system.

"Global warming has focused new attention and urgency on the need for carbon-free power like solar," said Thor Hinckley, PGE Renewable Power programs manager. "PGE is committed to helping Molalla students, and others, learn about how this exciting technology will lead to a more sustainable future."

Solar array part of regional program to promote solar energy
The 1020-watt solar array installed at Molalla High School consists of six 170-watt Sharp modules. The system will generate more than 1,000 kilowatt-hours of pollution-free electricity per year. The Molalla High School system will be used in conjunction with the school’s Woodshop class, which provides students the opportunity to build a freestanding home each year. Using Molalla’s own system as a model, students will be able to study various techniques for mounting residential photovoltaic systems. The school’s video production class will create a documentary film about installing and operating the solar electric system. Find out more about Molalla High School’s solar demonstration project at www.Solar4RSchools.org.

The photovoltaic panels installed at Molalla High School are the most recent result of Solar 4R Schools’ (S4RS) ongoing effort to bring renewable energy to schools across the Pacific Northwest. The project is bolstered by educational materials to educate students about the functions and benefits of renewable energy.

Like six previous S4RS projects developed by PGE, Energy Trust, and BEF, the Molalla High School solar power project demonstrates the effectiveness of photovoltaic power generation in the Northwest and provides teachers with a highly engaging educational tool. The installation also reflects the continuing efforts of a major urban utility to invest in innovative sources of green energy.

The Clean Energy, Green Technology Fair included a display of more than 60 student science projects, all related to clean energy and green technologies. Exhibits from many local organizations provided information to attendees on how to achieve a more sustainable lifestyle. Exhibitors included: Molalla Ford/Chevy, Toyota of Gladstone, Molalla Communications, Molalla Riverwatch and Clackamas County Recycling Partnership, PGE, Energy Trust, Green Mountain Energy, Oregon Building Congress, Cascade Solar Consulting.

 

About Portland General Electric
Portland General Electric, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is a fully integrated electric utility that serves more than 796,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Oregon. For more information, visit the PGE website at www.PortlandGeneral.com/renewable.

About Energy Trust of Oregon
Energy Trust is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to changing how Oregonians use energy by promoting energy efficiency and clean renewable energy for Oregon customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, and Cascade Natural Gas. For more information, visit Energy Trust’s website, www.energytrust.org, or call 1-866-368-7878.

About the Bonneville Environmental Foundation
The Bonneville Environmental Foundation is a national non-profit organization, established in 1998 to restore watershed ecosystems and further the development and use of new renewable energy resources.  Through revenues generated from the sales of green power products, BEF funds projects that restore damaged watersheds and support new renewable energy projects from solar, wind and biomass. BEF created the “Solar 4R Schools” program to provide students and teachers with a comprehensive and interactive renewable energy learning experience. More information on BEF and its programs is available on the web at http://www.b-e-f.org, www.Solar4RSchools.org, and www.GreenTagsUSA.org