Birmingham’s first “solar powered school” – The Altamont School

The Altamont School is about to become Birmingham’s first “solar powered school.”

For the past week, Eagle Solar and Light, a local solar power systems company, has been installing a multi-paneled solar array alongside the school’s track.

According to Sam Yates, President of Eagle Solar and Light, once the solar array is installed, approximately one-fifth of the school’s daytime energy consumption needs will be provided by the new solar power system. He estimates the solar array will generate an estimated 22,110 kilowatt-hours a year.

Along with providing a source of energy, the school will be using this solar power installation as an innovative teaching tool.

“The new solar arrays will not only help us reduce our monthly consumption of power, they will also provide many outstanding educational opportunities for our students. Altamont’s Global Initiative theme for this academic year is “Energy Resources and Climate Change,” the solar arrays are one more way we can express that theme and incorporate environmental stewardship into the culture, and practices, of our school,” stated Altamont’s Sarah Whiteside, Head of School.

Eagle Solar and Light will also be furnishing a learning kiosk to be displayed in a public place within the school. The kiosk will show real time energy generation metrics from the solar energy system. Additionally, the company will offer renewable energy workshops.

Several elementary and secondary schools have expressed an interest in solar energy systems in the Birmingham area, according to Yates.

More than just solar panels, but also an educational resource, hopefully in the coming months, additional schools will follow The Altamont School’s lead and become a “solar powered” school.