Drive Cleaner and Drive Greener
2010: OPPM is pleased to announce that we have supplied 24 solar energy teaching kits to the Cromwell, CT, public schools, in support of education in sustainable energy! The Town of Cromwell recently made a huge commitment to sustainability by installing large photovoltaic systems on the roofs of two schools. But integrating the technology into the teaching curriculum was a challenge. it was determined to be unwise to attempt to bring the students up on to the roof to see the equipment, due to safety concerns. OPPM was pleased to be able to contribute the demonstration teaching kits needed to bring the project 'full circle', to a point where the children can experiment and learn about solar energy, at the same time that their school is producing power. Students will also be able to view a portion of the actual building installation system from ground level, and to see data readouts from the large system in their classroom. Now, with the kits, the students can simulate what happens, for example, when a cloud passes over the solar collector, and compare that to what is happening on the 'real' system outside. OPPM is thrilled to have played and important role in the education of the children of the Town of Cromwell, CT, in the science of sustainable energy!
2009: Our first project, for the The Walker School of Needham, Massachusetts, was completed in the fall of 2009! This is a solar-powered garden shed; a 160 watt, 12 volt off-the-grid demonstration system, with battery power storage. It features motion-sensor-activated lights, which turn on when anyone passes by on the adjacent sidewalk, after dark. It also has normal 120V convenience power which can provide power for any moderate-sized plug-in device, like an electric drill or a boom-box. We are very pleased to report that, after one full year, the shed is still operating like new!
View from the southeast; the motion sensor View from the southwest; the convenience power
lights up the exterior and interior of the shed is at the bottom left corner.
when people walk past on the main sidewalk.
The solar panels are positioned in winter-season orientation, when the sun is low in the sky. At the spring equinox, we return to the school and tip the panels back at the top. This orients the tilt to best collect sun during the summer months, when the sun is higher in the sky. The students can participate, and learn about solar energy in the process of helping to re-orient the panels.
Signs on the shed explain the science of solar energy production. The viewing windows allow students to see the internal equipment.
One Penny Per Mile constructed the shed and did the preliminary solar system design. A professional engineer and sales associate at The Alternative Energy Store, in Hudson, MA, completed the code-compliant electrical engineering design, and provided valuable guidance on the various components to purchase. The electrical wiring and completion of the system, was done by Mister Sparky, Inc., electricians located in Needham, MA; they did a great job and donated a portion of their labor to the project. All electrical work was done under a permit issued by the local Needham Building Department, and was periodically inspected, and was approved and signed-off at the end.
Please DONATE to help support maintenance on this project, and to help us get started on our next project!
Future Projects:
Renewable-resource-powered, 'green', and sustainable energy production systems, will be installed in public locations, free of charge, for non-profit organizations in communities where they can provide the most benefit. We plan to develop wind systems, and other renewable technologies, as well as solar.
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