Solar Science Academy Students Give Back at Solar Futures Installation

Unlike other teens, who might prefer to spend their Saturday mornings sleeping, a group of 12 Tulare County High School students used the knowledge they learned at the SunPower Solar Science Academy to join GRID Alternatives to help install a 3kW system on the roof of the Ceja family’s home in Porterville, California.

This installation kicks off our new Solar Futures program, which we launched with SunPower earlier this year. Solar Futures is a groundbreaking new program that combines SunPower’s commitment to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education and initiatives like the SunPower Solar Science Academy, with GRID Alternatives’ hands-on solar installation model to inspire the next generation of solar leaders.

Despite the Central Valley heat, the students were eager to apply their skills to a direct install. “I am a firm believer that, if you love what you do, it is not work,” said Natalie Lusk, a student from Harmony Magnet School. “I am enjoying this opportunity to install solar with GRID Alternatives and look forward to participating in another install.” Natalie will be attending a four-year university and pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering.

Several student participants came to the camp with an interest in renewable energy.  Another Harmony Magnet student, Claire Antonio, said, “Solar has so many applications…I am interested in how solar can help convert saltwater into fresh drinking water.” Claire looks forward to pursuing her education in Electrical Engineering. 

In 2015, GRID Alternatives partnered with SunPower to expand its work with high school students. The new program, called Solar Futures, provides both classroom and hands-on solar education to K-14 students, with a focus on high school juniors and seniors.

AERO Pathways, part of the Porterville school district’s career-themed education program, is on a mission to expose students to renewable energy while helping build job skills for students ­– making it a perfect fit for Solar Futures.

“Our student participants had a great experience. They collaborated as a group to make it a successful and memorable install,” said AERO Pathways Director Brad Collins. “The SunPower partnership has been a great experience and has developed over the past years. I look forward to continuing the Solar Science Academy and expanding opportunities for more participants.”

Approximately 300 students from 17 California school districts are participating in this summer’s SunPower Solar Science Academy, helping to bring clean energy to the Central Valley and giving students hands-on experience with solar at the same time.

“Our partnership with GRID Alternatives is perfect. We are working on expanding the next 12 months, which allows students the opportunity to experience solar on a more direct level,” said SunPower consultant and Innovate Tulare Kings Executive Director, Randy Wallace. “Currently, we are working on making the camp more accessible for a new group of students by adding an additional location next year. Our hopes are to continue to build on the successful install we had last Saturday, which will pave the way for local students to participate in installations GRID Alternatives has scheduled in that area.”