German school gets brighter future with solar panels

The Beaverton Valley Times, Jan 29, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Jonathan House / The Beaverton Valley Times

Blake Peter, Head of School for the German American School in Beaverton stands on the snowy roof of the building Tuesday to talk about the school’s project of installing solar panels to help offset energy costs. Even in overcast weather, solar panels can help generate electricity, Peters noted.

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Students at the German American School of Portland will have a daily reminder about conserving energy whenever they look at their school.

The SolarWorld group donated 45 solar modules to the school, which could generate enough power each day to run three homes, according to Elaina Medina, a spokeswoman for PGE.

The SolarWorld group donated the 175-watt modules in the company’s biggest community sponsorship since establishing a headquarters in Hillsboro last year. Employees from Christensen Electric have been installing the solar panels on the roof and façade of the school and are expected to complete the project in the next few weeks.

The community project came together because of several sponsors, including PGE, Energy Trust of Oregon and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, who has put together teaching tools, including an informative kiosk, for students and parents to learn more about solar energy.

“The way the project is structured, the solar panels on the south side of the school are very visible to students in the playground,” said Thor Hinckley, manager of the renewable power program at PGE. “The school also intends to have a kiosk available for public viewing that shows people how much energy it’s generating.”

The value to the community is teaching anyone who sees the panels that despite its rainy reputation, solar energy works in Oregon.

“It’s important for Oregonians to see that generating energy from the sun can be economic and does work,” Hinckley said.

To celebrate the completion of the project, the German American School will host an open house March 6 at 1:30 p.m. The event will include speakers, children performing German songs and a reception. The school is located at 3900 S.W. Murray Blvd.