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WisconSUN Case Study:
Wauzeka School PV System
Owner: Wauzeka-Steuben School District
Location: Wauzeka, WI
Installed: August 2003
Cost: $10,500
System Size: 6 - 165W panels (1kW)
Description: Panels are rack mounted in an awning configuration over the science classroom window, and are seasonably adjustable. DC disconnect, inverter, and meter are mounted on wall inside the science classroom.
Matt Wermich, a science teacher with the Wauzeka-Steuben School district, decided the best way for his students to understand solar energy was to have hands-on experience. He began by spearheading a grant writing effort to fund installation of the District's own photovoltaic (PV) system, now located conveniently outside the window of his science classroom. The controls and monitoring equipment are on the wall inside, allowing his students to keep a constant eye on how the system is working. Additional funds were also raised for educational materials on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and electricity, and include lessons that can integrate energy into subjects like geography and health.
Wauzeka's PV system will produce about 1300 kWh per year, about 15% of what the average Wisconsin home uses. Although it is interconnected to the utility power grid, the system is not intended to offset much of the school's electricity bill. Its main purpose is to serve as a focus for teaching students in all grade levels about energy use and renewable sources of energy for the future. It has also begun to attract the attention of parents and other adults in the community who want to learn about solar electricity. Teachers, students and community members are developing a web site about their new system, where they will post system monitoring data. The site will be located at http://www.wauzeka.k12.wi.us/.
Funding for the Wauzeka-Steuben School District PV system came from a number of sources. Project partners include:
- Energy Center of Wisconsin's WisconSUN program
- Focus on Energy Renewable Energy Program
- Great Northern Solar
- Wauzeka Lions Club
- Wauzeka Science Department
For more information about the system contact WisconSUN.
Photo credits
Matt Wermich, Wauzeka-Steuben School
copyright © 2003 WisconSUN
