Students Install Solar Panels for Shakopee High School Environmental Learning Center

Mark Houser, business owner of Choice Electric and accounting student at , believes that with growing concerns about the future and security of the world’s energy supply, renewable energy sources like solar are becoming increasingly important.

Houser learned from Brian Christian, industrial technology and construction teacher at , that, as part of an ongoing environmental learning center construction project, had donated solar panels for the outdoor environmental and ecology classroom (http://www.rschooltoday.com/school386/FCK/File/Academics/EnvironmentalLe...).  

Houser, a licensed electrician, volunteered to install the solar panels, which would provide an energy source that could generate electricity for the building. As part of Houser’s service learning project, he worked with the high school students and some licensed electricians to install the solar panel racking on the roof, install the modules, make electrical roof connections, and  wire the electrical inverter. These solar panels or photovoltaic (PV) systems use wafers, typically made of crystalline silicone, that are sensitive to sunlight and produce a small amount of direct current when exposed to light. This would make it easier for teachers to hold classes outdoors, especially in the winter.

“Mark (Houser) showed great patience and knowledge while working with the students. He has been a great asset to our class and our students. He put in numerous hours working on the green building with our students, both on the electrical side inside the building as well as installing the 24 solar panels on the outside,” said Christian.

Houser is proud to be part of the solution to generate energy for the outdoor environmental building, and to help kids learn about the environment, year round.  “It’s fun to do something and not get paid for it. The reward was something other than money, and I like that,”  he said.