Rhode Island's Recent Renewable Energy Initiatives
Solar on Schools
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Rhode Island recently adopted the Solar on Schools program in which 2000-watt solar photovoltaic panels, a data tracking system, and a Heliotronics Data Monitoring System are installed on local schools for both energy-saving and curriculum purposes. The information system allows for teachers to integrate the data collected from the panels into their curriculum. By doing this, the students can understand and interact with the advantages of solar energy. Schools that have adopted the Solar on Schools Initiative are marked by red dots on the map to the right. The information is web-based and each school's data can be found here.
Requirements
In order to implement this program, the school must identify a team of teachers that are interested in supporting this endeavor and making it successful. Additionally, the PV panels are required to be installed in an area that is greatly visible to the community.
Funding
Funding for this program is heavily provided by the Renewable Energy Fund and the Office of Energy Resources though participating schools are required to cover a small margin of the cost. For more information on solar funding, please go to our Policies & Incentives page .
Requirements
In order to implement this program, the school must identify a team of teachers that are interested in supporting this endeavor and making it successful. Additionally, the PV panels are required to be installed in an area that is greatly visible to the community.
Funding
Funding for this program is heavily provided by the Renewable Energy Fund and the Office of Energy Resources though participating schools are required to cover a small margin of the cost. For more information on solar funding, please go to our Policies & Incentives page .
Bringing Sun to the Beach
Scarborough State Beach
In December 2011, Rhode Island's Office of Energy resources announced its plans to install solar panels at nine state beaches, parks, and other sites. Several PV panels will also be installed on state building roofs in order to reduce the cost of electricity.
Similar to the Solar on Schools program, data from the panels will be available online to the public. It allows internet users to monitor electricity savings from the panels and several wind turbines around the state. Governor Lincoln Chafee will be an educational and informational tool for Rhode Islanders while also acting as a budget reducer. The $1.5 million dollar project is being financed by federal stimulus funds and is expected to be completed by late February of 2012.
Panels will be installed on the pavilions at Scarborough State Beach, Misquamicut State Beach, and East Matunuck State Beach. At East Matunuck, the entire beach and pavilion area is being renovated for the Summer of 2012 and a small wind turbine will be installed along with the panels. Non-beach facilities such as the Lafayette Fish Hatchery, Dawley State Park, Urban Edge Farm, and Prudence Island Research Reserve will also have panels installed.
Fisheman's Memorial State Park will also be installing PV panels and expects to save half of their electricity bill. The park also installed a wind turbine in October 2011 to additonally cut back on costs. Dawley State Park is another location where solar energy will be harnessed in order to provide electricity to the administrative buildings.
For the complete news release regarding the awarded stimulus funds for this project, please click here.
Similar to the Solar on Schools program, data from the panels will be available online to the public. It allows internet users to monitor electricity savings from the panels and several wind turbines around the state. Governor Lincoln Chafee will be an educational and informational tool for Rhode Islanders while also acting as a budget reducer. The $1.5 million dollar project is being financed by federal stimulus funds and is expected to be completed by late February of 2012.
Panels will be installed on the pavilions at Scarborough State Beach, Misquamicut State Beach, and East Matunuck State Beach. At East Matunuck, the entire beach and pavilion area is being renovated for the Summer of 2012 and a small wind turbine will be installed along with the panels. Non-beach facilities such as the Lafayette Fish Hatchery, Dawley State Park, Urban Edge Farm, and Prudence Island Research Reserve will also have panels installed.
Fisheman's Memorial State Park will also be installing PV panels and expects to save half of their electricity bill. The park also installed a wind turbine in October 2011 to additonally cut back on costs. Dawley State Park is another location where solar energy will be harnessed in order to provide electricity to the administrative buildings.
For the complete news release regarding the awarded stimulus funds for this project, please click here.