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John Gross, forestry teacher from R.A. Long High School, explains the district's new solar panels to students at the Wake Robin Learning Center west of Longview on Monday. Roger Werth / The Daily News

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Longview School District celebrates new solar panels

Tuesday, September 9, 2008 12:30 AM PDT

By Carrie Pederson

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Even on a really sunny day, the Longview School District’s new solar panels could only power about 10 100-watt light bulbs. But educators hope they will start lighting up students’ understanding of energy needs and production this school year.

The district Monday showed off its new solar panels at the Wake Robin Learning Center west of town. The panels, which cost $15,000 to $20,000, were funded with a Bonneville Power Administration grant and are similar to panels recently installed with BPA assistance in the Toutle Lake School District.

Panels “get people to think about electricity and different places you can get it from,” said John Brugman, Toutle Junior/Senior High School earth science teacher.

On Monday afternoon, forestry students from R.A. Long and Mark Morris high schools gathered around new solar panels, finding them warm but not hot to the touch.

For now, the panels are just an introduction to solar energy in the Longview and Toutle districts.

“We are still struggling with the best way to use it,” Brugman said of Toutle’s panels.

The BPA’s foundation provides teachers with information on how solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. Students can go to the foundation’s Web site to find out how much power the panel is producing.

Solar panels could be just the beginning of alternative energy education in Longview, said John Gross, forestry teacher at R.A. Long.

At the Wake Robin Learning Center, “we have side creeks and it would be fun to put in a small generator” to teach students about hydropower, he said.

“It takes combination of different sources to make things work in different areas.”

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worker bee wrote on Sep 9, 2008 10:00 AM:

" I am hoping that an economics lesson would also be included as with most alternative power sources the initial cost,maintenance and lifespan make it more expensive to use than the current sources. This additional cost is only coming from one place (out of the tax payer pockets) "

Gondolapete wrote on Sep 9, 2008 12:11 PM:

" I am told this will provide 70 cents a day worth of electricity. This will be on the Lars Larson show today.. "

ccd wrote on Sep 9, 2008 1:25 PM:

" The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. The more this happens on a broad scale, the less expensive it will be. And this was provided by a grant. We need to gets our kids interested in the science and engineering behind these alternative energies so that we have a workforce for the expansion of these clean energies in the future. THAT is what this project is about. But of course, the pessimistic naysayers can't see the trees for the forest. "

pilaf wrote on Sep 9, 2008 1:35 PM:

" There is more at stake than just getting what is "cheapest" here. If our country wants to be an economic leader again and bridge some of the gaps in science and math scores when compared with Asian students, for example, we need to invest in new technologies and should be encouraging this type of project for students to be involved with. I'm sure before the industrial revolution there was talk about how candles were cheaper than those new-fangled light bulbs and a horse is cheaper than a crazy horseless carriage!
If you have never been out to Wake Robin, it is a great place for our students. Check out their website or go out to visit. "

Stella wrote on Sep 9, 2008 3:12 PM:

" There are two of the solar tube manufacturing plants being built in Washington. One in Arlington and I think one in Vader. Within five years this solar power which works on light and not the heat from the sun is supposed to be affordable to the homeowner within five years. There are also excellent tax incentives available. Currently you may deduct up to $3,000 of the costs of installing alternative energy sources in your home. Solar water heating is available and financially beneficial right now. "

LongviewFam wrote on Sep 9, 2008 4:25 PM:

" I think it's a good thing to start to find energy sources elsewhere. Plus, it was purchased by a grant, so the district isn't out the money. Way to go, John. You do great work out at Wake Robin. "

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