While the debate continues over rising gas prices, global warming, and concerns about an impending energy crisis, some dedicated and talented Pennsylvania college students are doing their part in promoting the advantages of solar power. Public workshops were held on Saturdays, February 16th, March 1st and April 5th, at the Bucknell University Environmental Center on Bucknell's campus in Lewisburg, PA.
The solar workshops were free and open to the public as well as faculty, staff and students from Bucknell and other regional colleges and universities.
"Attendees learnt the basics of designing, siting, and installing a small-scale residential solar array," said Jessica Scott, a Bucknell senior, coordinator of the solar workshop, and a "solar champion" from the original 2006 SEF Solar Scholars Program. Scott said that participants "came out of this workshop with an understanding of solar energy strong enough to play an integral role in the design and installation of their own solar system."
The Solar Scholars Program was created by Sustainable Energy Fund (SEF), a private, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting energy efficiency, renewable energy and energy education in eastern and central PA. The Solar Scholars Program provides college-level students and professors in Pennsylvania with in-depth, hands-on, education and training in solar photovoltaics (PV) " the use of solar cells to convert sunlight into electricity.
SEF created the Solar Scholars Program, in part, to support Pennsylvania's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS) set forth by Act 213. Act 213 mandates that a certain percentage of electric energy in Pennsylvania be produced from clean, renewable energy sources, and sets ambitious goals for solar energy in particular.
Bucknell University participated in and hosted the 2006 pilot of the SEF Solar Scholars Program. Six Pennsylvania colleges and universities where selected for the pilot program. The five other colleges where Clarion University (Clarion, PA), Mercyhurst College (Erie, PA), Pennsylvania State University, Main Campus (University Park, PA), Messiah College (Grantham, PA), and Villanova University (Villanova, PA).
"Bucknell University has become a shining example of the Solar Scholars Program," says Bill Dougherty, SEF Program Coordinator for the Solar Scholars Program. "SEF is very proud of the accomplishments of the Bucknell 'solar champions' from the pilot 2006 Solar Scholars Program."
The solar PV system installed at Bucknell University during the 2006 Solar Scholars Program is producing electricity for the campus, while also helping to educate students, faculty and the public. A portion of the electricity for part of the Ritter House, home of the Bucknell Environmental Center, is being powered by the 2.5 kilowatt solar system installed during the Solar Scholars pilot program in August of 2006.
Producing clean, non-polluting energy is wonderful for everyone. Of even greater value are the educational benefits from the solar installation, educating the next generation of business leaders, government policy makers, engineers, and entrepreneurs. Bucknell 'solar champion' students are also sharing their knowledge and passion with the general community via their Saturday solar workshops.
As Craig Kochel, Co-Director of the Bucknell University Environmental Center, indicated, "The students have taken charge and run with the Solar Scholars Program. The Solar Scholars Program is the most successful student-run program I have seen on campus. Seniors are training underclassmen to take over once they have graduated to keep the flame alive. The Solar Scholars Program has been educational, fun and a good time for the students and has generated interest in alternative energy."
