Decorah Middle School is one of just five schools in the state receiving a grant

Decorah Middle School  students will get an up-close look at solar energy, thanks to a program created by the National Center  for Appropriate Technology.  The nonprofit organization is partnering with Decorah  Middle School, New Hampton Middle School, Spencer  Middle School, Grinnell Middle School and Scattergood  Friends School in West Branch to install photovoltaic solar arrays and provide educational resources for students and the community to learn more about solar power.

The "Iowa Sun4Schools" program was created to reward schools that have actively pursued energy saving measures in their facilities.  Selection was based in part on the community participation in the schools' conservation efforts.

Each of the schools selected will receive a 2,000 watt grid-tie photovoltaic solar array, capable of producing about 2,800 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity each year.  In addition to supplying electricity to the facility, the array will serve as an educational and research tool, and as a symbol of the school's commitment to saving energy and reducing its carbon footprint.

The cost of each project--including equipment, installation, data collection, educational component and community workshops--is approximately $36,000.  Each community will be responsible for about one third of this cost.  The school's matching funds can be cash or in-kind contributions such as staff time, volunteer labor, donated materials and utility company incentives.

Funding for the solar projects is from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and is managed by the Iowa Office of Energy Independence. The Iowa Sun4Schools project will have the added benefit of providing solar installation experience for local electricians, while helping to grow the market for solar energy in Iowa.