by Stacy Noland on 2008-08-08

Teens Energized by Urban Solar Camp

SEATTLE, August 6, 2008 – While most teenagers may spend their summer lying in the sun, a Seattle program is showing dozens of youth how to harness the sun’s power as a solution for global climate change.

The Moontown Foundation, a local non-profit, has brought together world-class scientists from the University of Washington, a unique energy program at Shoreline Community College and 100 urban youth from Seattle Parks & Recreation to give an intensive hands-on experience in the environment and careers in solar energy as part of the Foundation’s Summer of Sustainability Initiative.

On Aug. 8, up to 40 teens will attend a session of Urban Solar Camp from 12:30pm to 3pm at SCC’s Zero Energy House, a functioning home completely off the electrical grid. Media representatives are invited to attend all or part of the session to interview participants.

Learning to install solar panels

The Urban Solar Camp starts with a sobering overview of global climate change from UW experts. The teens, age 14-18, then learn about the potential solutions in solar energy and the growing technology field. They then trek to Shoreline to see solar technology at work, assemble mock solar panels and learn how to conduct an energy efficiency audit.

“I am on a quest to identify, train, certify and then employ 500 solar system installers and designers in the next 36 months,” said Stacy Noland, Founder & CEO of Moontown Foundation, which coordinates the camp as part of the its Summer Sustainability initiative. “Of all the forms of renewable energy we hear about, direct solar radiation creates over 350 million terawatts of energy a year.  Obviously, solar is clearly the way to go. And at the end of the day, the kids understand that you can earn a healthy income installing solar systems and help improve the planet. They find that cool.”

Shoreline Community College has been actively developing a leadership role as an educator in renewable energy. The school is a national training center for alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technology and offers certification in solar - energy system design.

“For Shoreline Community College, hosting the Urban Solar Camp is an extension of our commitment to lead in programs aimed at sustainability,” said Berta Lloyd, SCC’s Dean of Workforce Development. “Sustainability has gone beyond being a buzzword. Students and industry are demanding education and training in this area and SCC is ready to provide it.”

SCC already has a groundbreaking solar-voltaic design class that this past spring produced 72 graduates with state certification in this growing field. The program is helping meet Gov. Chris Gregoire’s call for 25,000 new green-industry workers in the coming years. Additional classes in solar energy and sustainable building practices are available fall quarter at SCC, Lloyd said.

SCC’s Zero Energy Technology program is under the guidance of Mike Nelson, director of Washington State University’s Northwest Solar Center. “Solar power is viable right now,” Nelson said. “Washington state, through production incentives, has already moved a (U.S. and European) goal of price parity for solar with other energy sources from 2015 to 2008.”

Industry partners include Larry Owens, vice president of NW Mechanical and Solar Washington. “Shoreline Community College continues to show leadership by bringing together key partners in the development of the renewable energy program at the college,” Owens said. “Opportunities abound, and by preparing students for entry into this field, SCC will provide an excellent way to move forward.”

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For additional details contact: Stacy Noland, 206.201.2324, director “at” moontownfoundation.org.

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