Escondido School may go solar Escondido School may go solar (November 01, 2002)

If grant is allocated, photovoltaics will supplement power supply for school

by Priya Padmanabhan

Escondido Elementary School in Palo Alto could be one of only 19 schools in the state to receive a grant under the California Solar School Program. This program, supported by the California Energy Commission, enables funding for installation of solar electric systems in schools.

According to school district Deputy Superintendent Robert Golton, the grants will be awarded to 19 schools in California that satisfactorily meet the program requirements. Some of the criteria include: school board support of the project; energy-efficient lighting in at least 80 percent of the classrooms; and enhancing the science curriculum to educate students about alternative energy sources.

The $153,000 grant would cover 90 percent of the cost of a photovoltaic (solar-powered) system. The school district would pitch in the rest of the cost. The 20 KW system would be a supplementary power supply for the school.

Lisa Benatar, an Escondido science teacher, said the school had integrated study of energy generation, energy efficiency and photovoltaics into the curriculum even before the solar school program came into the picture. "Our students also have hands-on knowledge about solar electricity since we already have demonstration solar panels installed in the school," she said.

E-mail Priya Padmanabhan at ppadmanabhan@paweekly.com