News Releases

Walton EMC Brings Sunshine to Oconee County High School

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2005

Contact Greg Brooks, 770/266-2307, or Katie Woodall, 770/266-2572

WATKINSVILLE, Ga. – Walton Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) is bringing solar energy technology to Oconee County High School students through the Sun Power for Schools program.

Walton EMC will work with the school this summer to install a photovoltaic system that converts energy from the sun into electricity. The effort is part of the first statewide school program to showcase the benefits of solar energy.

“The EMCs are the first utilities to offer renewable energy to Georgians through our green power program,” says Greg Brooks, Walton EMC communications coordinator. “We’re delighted to broaden our efforts to bring this environmentally friendly technology to students.”

Solar panels like these will be installed at Oconee County High School in Watkinsville through Walton EMC's Sun Power for Schools program. Students will experiment with solar electricity generation and analyze data in science classes.

The solar installations will be integrated into the school’s curriculum and provide students with a hands-on example of renewable energy generation.

A monitoring device allows students to track the amount of electricity produced each day. The accumulated data will be used in math and science classes and provides additional resource materials to support classroom learning.

The data will also be available on the Internet and can be shared with other schools. Students from those schools will be able to suggest experiments with the solar array.

The solar panels will be located outside for easy access and viewing by students, parents, and other members of the community.

The electricity generated will actually be delivered to Walton EMC’s distribution system and become part of a mix of renewable energy provided by EMCs to reduce pollution, preserve natural resources and lessen the state's reliance on traditional energy sources.

The Sun Power for Schools project was made possible by a $160,000 grant from Green Power EMC, a cooperative formed by 17 of the state’s EMCs, including Walton.

Created in 2001, Green Power EMC contracts for electricity generated by renewable resources, like biomass, solar and low-impact hydro. Member EMCs distribute the green electricity.

Walton EMC customer-owners can participate in the green power program by sponsoring 150 kilowatt-hour blocks of electricity. Find information at waltonemc.com.

Walton EMC is a customer-owned power company that serves 110,000 accounts over its ten-county service area between Atlanta and Athens. Its subsidiary, Walton EMC Natural Gas, serves natural gas accounts statewide.

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