New Solar Electric System To Be Dedicated at Doolen

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Estella Zavala, 225-6437
Posted on: February 21, 2006

TUSD and partners with the Tucson Solar Schools Project will dedicate a new 4.5 kilowatt (kW) solar electric system in a brief ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 22, from 2:10 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. at Doolen Middle School, 2400 N. Country Club. (Click here for directions to the dedication location). 

The Tucson Solar Schools Project represents a unique collaboration between TUSD, Tucson Electric Power Company (TEP), Greater Tucson Coalition for Solar Energy, Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Office, Foundation for Environmental Education, Environmental Education Exchange and the U. S. Department of Energy. 

Doug Crockett, TUSD’s Assets & Energy Manager; Valerie Rauluk, Program Director of the Greater Tucson Coalition for Solar Energy; and Bill Henry, TEP’s Senior Electrical Engineer, will activate the recently installed photovoltaic system and comment on this successful public/private partnership. Doolen students and staff will also share insights about having this technology at their school.

As part of the Tucson Solar Schools Project, four TUSD schools were selected for similar photovoltaic systems provided through TEP’s SunShare Program. Participating schools also received solar teacher workshops and student classroom presentations to help integrate energy education into the curriculum. More details on the daily electrical output, pictures and descriptions of TUSD’s solar schools & support sites are available at www.soltrex.com. 

TUSD solar sites, in order of connection since 1995, include:

• Cooper Environmental Science Campus – 3.0 kW

• Safford Magnet Middle School - 4.8 kW

• Palo Verde Magnet High School - 4.8 kW

• Facilities Management Portable - 1.5 kW

• Hohokam Middle School - 4.2 kW

• Project MORE Alternative High School – 15.0 kW

• Doolen Middle School - 4.5 kW

• Davidson Elementary School - 9.6 kW 

Total TUSD Solar Capacity = 47.4 kW

TUSD has implemented several related energy education and solar installation projects that contributed to the current partnership. More details on the Resources Efficiency Awareness Program (REAP) are available at http://www.tusd.k12.az.us/contents/depart/reap/index.html

Directions: 

East on Broadway Blvd. To Country Club; turn left. Doolen Middle School is at the northeast corner of Grant and Country Club. Parking is available west & north of the school. Doolen students will guide you to the cafeteria area.

Tucson Solar Schools Project Partners:

• Tucson Unified School District

• Tucson Electric Power Company 

• Environmental Education Exchange

• Greater Tucson Coalition for Solar Energy 

• Arizona Department of Commerce ­ Energy Office

• Foundation for Environmental Education

• United States Department of Energy 

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