Three Lakes schools have joined the Wisconsin Public Service "Solarwise for Schools", designed to teach about renewable energy with a hands-on program.
WPS Program Manager Mike Moore says they donate a two-to-three kilowatt solar system, a 26 lesson curriculum, train teachers in the fall, and in the spring offer the "Solar Olympics", a solar-based science fair. He thinks Three Lakes more northern location will provide some valuable data for the program...
"....it will be very interesting to see the data from the solar system on their school compared to the data from schools in the other part of our service territory..."
Moore says a side benefit is the solar system will help offset some energy costs...
"....it will produce between three and four hundred dollars worth of electricity each year. That's enough to power three to four classrooms...."
Rhinelander, Lakeland Union High School, Crandon, Elcho, Wabeno, Goodman-Armstrong Creek, Laona, Antigo, Merrill and Tomahawk schools are already a part of the program.
Funds for the SolarWise program comes primarily from voluntary donations made by customers of Wisconsin Public Service to the WPS Community Foundation. Currently about 2,500 customers contribute.
