BAR PORT– –While the school cCommittee meeting on April 5thConners Emerson students Alex Ren, Owen Dwyer, and Robert Stewart led a presentation over plans to install solar panels at school.
Ren started the discussion with a overview that listed Reasons Why Solar panels should be installed and explained that on the basis of a solar power purchase agreement, There would be no upfront school costs.
“It will save the school about a million dollars in 25 years,” said Ren.
T.Here would be constant energy during the winter months and the solar panels would Keep collecting energy during the summer break.
According to the sixth grader, the solar panels would reduce about 150 tons of carbon emissions per year.
Stewart emphasized the importance of solar use when explaining the effects of climate change As a result, off Carbon emissions. “Sea levels are projected to rise 2-3 meters by 2100 if we don't curb our carbon emissions,” he said.
Stewart said that climate change is caused because Carbon dioxide increases global temperatures, which means the water is expanding and sheets of ice will melt, adding that “large swaths of MDI, including much of Bar Harbor, will be submerged”.
He used the island nation of Kiribati as an example of a place like Mount Desert Island that will at some point be completely submerged As a result, off Climate change.
“Although humans caused climate change, we can stop it too,” said Steward, Who noticed that running things on green energy and not using as much fossil fuel can help?
The students then presented two options for installing solar panels, subject to approval from a greater Construction project proposal that requires a complete renovation and expansion of the school.
When the Conners Emerson construction project IDwyer said, “Our plan is to repeal a plan that will come into effect after the construction project is complete. T.The solar panels are first installed [building project] is finished, That would take about five years. ”
Dwyer added that this would be done through initial contact Sundog Solar, a Searsport-based solar energy company, for estimates and their opinion on the best places to place solar panels.
The students then provided an installation strategy for the committee when completing the construction project was declined, which would accelerate the start of the process within the next year.
“Our plan would be to reach Sundog Solar for information and see when we can could Start the process, ”Ren said, noting that the next step would be to start the PSA program and find a third one– –Party investor to start the actual installation.
“The goal is to make the school 100 percent solar … This would reduce Conners Emerson's carbon footprint and allow the school to save money on other things like renovations and equipment. “
Ninah Gile, an MDI native, covers the city of Bar Harbor. She is happy to be back in Maine after completing her bachelor's degree in San Diego from the University of California.