Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Watertown Solar Challenge Reaches Its Goal!
Our Green Sanctuary Committee Announces:
Town to Get Solar Panels for a School
Watertown has reached its goal in the Watertown Solar Challenge! We exceeded the 150 required contributors needed. In total we raised over $17,000. This money will go directly towards wind energy projects in Massachusetts and New England. There are already plans to install wind turbines in Princeton MA. In addition, the donations will be matched dollar for dollar towards renewable energy projects for low income housing.
With matching funds from the state Watertown will have over $30,000 to spend on a solar electric (PV) system for a Watertown school. Included with that solar system will be educational software that can be incorporated into the school’s science curriculum.
This was truly a community effort. Environmentalists, parents, educators, local businesses, environmental and other organizations, churches, political leaders and average citizens all pitched in for this cause. Members of First Parish Watertown were among the largest group of donors. Some enterprising children even held a lemonade sale and donated their earnings!
The State pays for 10 hours of consulting time from an expert in the field to assist Watertown in the process of choosing a site, designing a system, hiring a solar contractor, and installing the system. Hopefully within a year, a solar system will be operating on a Watertown school creating electricity, saving the town money, avoiding greenhouse gas emissions (that cause global warming) and educating our children about the benefits and feasibility of clean renewable energy.
Our deepest gratitude to all those FPW members who contributed toward the Solar Challenge. We did it! Our own Brian Hebeisen and Mike Anctil were part of the Committee. This means our Action Item # 9 under Sustainable Living has been accomplished as part of our Green Sanctuary Accreditation Process. Yeah!
Town to Get Solar Panels for a School
Watertown has reached its goal in the Watertown Solar Challenge! We exceeded the 150 required contributors needed. In total we raised over $17,000. This money will go directly towards wind energy projects in Massachusetts and New England. There are already plans to install wind turbines in Princeton MA. In addition, the donations will be matched dollar for dollar towards renewable energy projects for low income housing.
With matching funds from the state Watertown will have over $30,000 to spend on a solar electric (PV) system for a Watertown school. Included with that solar system will be educational software that can be incorporated into the school’s science curriculum.
This was truly a community effort. Environmentalists, parents, educators, local businesses, environmental and other organizations, churches, political leaders and average citizens all pitched in for this cause. Members of First Parish Watertown were among the largest group of donors. Some enterprising children even held a lemonade sale and donated their earnings!
The State pays for 10 hours of consulting time from an expert in the field to assist Watertown in the process of choosing a site, designing a system, hiring a solar contractor, and installing the system. Hopefully within a year, a solar system will be operating on a Watertown school creating electricity, saving the town money, avoiding greenhouse gas emissions (that cause global warming) and educating our children about the benefits and feasibility of clean renewable energy.
Our deepest gratitude to all those FPW members who contributed toward the Solar Challenge. We did it! Our own Brian Hebeisen and Mike Anctil were part of the Committee. This means our Action Item # 9 under Sustainable Living has been accomplished as part of our Green Sanctuary Accreditation Process. Yeah!