On Jan. 20, 2006, a photovoltaic system began to brighten Hiram High School in Paulding County, thanks to a unique partnership between GreyStone Power, Green Power EMC and the Paulding County School System. The joint venture provides a powerful hands-on learning experience about solar energy for the school’s students, and generates valuable research information needed for creating sustainable, inexpensive solar technology. The system converts sunlight into energy through silicon alloys called photovoltaic cells.

“GreyStone supports renewable resources as energy alternatives and was pleased to participate in the Sun Power for Schools program. The photovoltaic system has minimal impact on the environment and produces clean energy.

This was a primary incentive for our involvement,” says GreyStone Commercial Marketing Representative Wayne Glover, who coordinated the installation of the system with the support of key personnel. “When renewable energy technology takes off it could reduce pollution and preserve other natural resources including coal and oil that are currently used in providing energy, at the same time reducing the cost of electricity.”

Supplied by Sunwize Technologies, the photovoltaic module was installed by One-World Sustainable Energy Corporation. A GreyStone line crew constructed the framework and installed conduits to support the system. GreyStone Senior Staking Technician Blake Pendley engineered the field layout and technical design for the photovoltaic system installation.

The sun is the earth’s main source of energy. Experts theorize the amount of sun rays reaching the earth’s surface is greater than our energy demands. Sun Power for Schools recognizes the importance of solar power and works to educate students about renewable energy and its impact on the environment.

Solar energy is used mainly to power vehicles, satellites, heat and cool and light buildings, and warm swimming pools; at Hiram High School it will be used as an educational tool.

“Our objective in installing these systems is education and information. In addition to the meter that records how much electricity is produced, the system includes a data collection program that monitors weather conditions and direct current and alternating current power production,” says Jackson EMC Mechanical Engineer Alan Shedd, who represents Green Power EMC as coordinator of Georgia’s Sun Power for Schools program. “This data is sent to an interactive Website that can be used to monitor, evaluate, and compare the performance of all photovoltaic systems installed in schools.”