LT Ventures Into Renewable Energy :::
This summer, Lyons Township High School began its venture into renewable energy with the installation of seven solar panels, called a solar array, on the roof of the Vaughan Building Applied Arts wing. The array will generate approximately 1.5 kilowatts of power, which will be integrated into the area’s general electrical grid. The panels and the installation are part of an Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation $10,000 grant LT was awarded last spring.
While the project is small in scale, and the maximum power produced by the panels is just enough to power the lights in one classroom or approximately 25 - 60 watt light bulbs, science teacher Kurt Engel says, “The solar panels are symbolic of LT starting to think more about greener, renewable energy, and they present a unique opportunity for students to learn first-hand about solar and renewable energies, carbon emissions and the environment.”
Sunlight is drawn into the solar array, converted into electricity and then introduced into the local grid through wires. Students can view data, which is constantly streaming from LT’s panels, as well as from other school and organization panels all via the Foundation’s website.
Fieldtrips to a wind farm and a solar power plant will compliment the solar panel project, as will a “Solarbration” to be held in the spring, where parents and community members will be invited to see a demonstration and explanation of the solar panel data and to learn more about LT’s efforts to “go green.”
Other small steps are being taken by LTHS to be environmentally conscious. The Recycling Club picks up paper, plastic, cardboard and glass from offices and classrooms each week and has saved not only landfill space in Illinois but also reduced the school’s trash expenses. LT helps organize an annual Computer Recycling Drive, which helps equip seniors, students and persons with disabilities with repurposed computers and electronics. Most recently, the district initiated an online version of the annual back to school processing packet for parents, which saved the district nearly $5,000 in postage and paper costs.
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