A 2 kW panel was installed on Vulcan Middle Wednesday morning
NORWAY -- Renewable energy is the latest buzz all across the planet. Wind power is slowly, but surely, spinning its way into the Upper Peninsula, and now, area schools are joining the renewable energy charge.
The sun was bright on the south side of Vulcan Middle School in Norway Wednesday morning...electrifying, even. That sun is now pumping energy into the halls of that school.
The $50,000+ solar installment is a collaboration between Michigan Energy Works, the City of Norway, and WPPI Energy.
"Our company, WPPI Energy, and the City of Norway is providing, in kind, a match of approximately $9,000 to the approximately $45,000 grant that's coming from Michigan Energy Works," says Brett Niemi, Energy Services Rep. for WPPI Energy.
And it's not costing the school a penny.
"You have to agree to have it on location, you have to agree to provide the curriculum to your students and have it connected to the Internet so that everyone out there can see what it does and how it performs," explains Norway Superintendent, Randy Van Gasse.
The educational aspect is what really drew Van Gasse into the project.
"There will be an identifying panel in the school that will indicate how much energy is being generated, and it's as close as you can get to a hands-on project for middle school students," he says.
Last year, Negaunee Area Schools led the solar power charge. This year, Norway is joined by schools in Grand Marais, Crystal Falls, Baraga, and Gladstone.
The Vulcan Middle School solar panel will be fully operational, and seventh and eighth grade students will begin studying its benefits this fall.
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