Students for Solar

Student Club Seeks to Address Community Needs With Renewable Energy

BY: LINDSAY CUOMO

Students at Irving Middle School decided to tackle a big problem – the energy needs of their school. In 2018, Irving students, with the help of two teachers, Sarah Chan and Laura Vaughn, formed the Students for Solar Club with the desire to learn about solar power and advocate for the use of renewable energy in their school and in the Norman community.

“Utilities are the second largest expense for school districts after teacher salaries,” Chan said. “Our students are excited about this opportunity. They are working to tackle real world problems and they have pursed that relentlessly.”

After researching renewable energy sources and the energy costs for their own school, club members set out to raise funds for a solar panel system that could be installed in the school’s garden and outdoor classroom space. They attended local events including Norman’s Earth Day celebration to raise awareness of their efforts, but the COVID pandemic forced them to shift their plans. The students then decided to start a letter writing campaign.

“They drafted several letters and got several hits from those letters,” Chan shared. “They introduced themselves and why they cared and talked about the financial, educational and environmental impact at our school.”

Students, teachers and the community celebrated the groundbreaking in January

They received support from OEC and Wildwood Community Church as well as other organizations in the Norman community.

“OEC has been very generous to give several tours of an actual working solar farm and let our students talk to the expert who designed it,” Vaughn said. “That has fueled the fire for our kids.”

The students also sent a letter to OG&E who happened to be in the process of gearing up for a pilot program to test the effectiveness of solar technology in schools.

“Schools are really interested in using renewable energy to reduce their energy bills,” shared Jessica King, supervisor of customer programs at OG&E. “We have been researching what combination provides the most value for schools.”

Irving was one of three schools selected for an onsite solar panel installation. Construction will begin soon on the structure and is expected to be completed before the end of the school year. Past and present club members as well as representatives from OG&E celebrated the groundbreaking in January.

Students helped design the structure and will be a part of ongoing research, which Chan said offers a unique chance to see what career opportunities are available in the renewable energy industry.

“A big component for Norman schools is getting our kids college and career ready,” Chan explained. “We want to leave as many doors open as we can.”

Scott Martin, Norman Chamber of Commerce president, said he has been inspired by the student-led initiative.

“The OG&E solar project at Irving Middle School is an outstanding opportunity for students to receive a hands-on immersive experience,” he said. “I love the fact that this was a student-led initiative and how quickly OG&E jumped at the chance to support this effort. Having this kind of technology at students’ fingertips is invaluable in the learning process.”

Irving Middle School and OG&E will continue to collaborate for several years as they research the effectiveness of the solar panels. The school will have a monitoring system so they can see in real time how much energy their panels are producing. OG&E will also provide ongoing educational opportunities.

“Supporting education and protecting the environment, through unique, innovative energy solutions are part of how OG&E energizes life,” said King. “The solar project at Irving Middle School checks all these boxes.

“We are delighted to provide this installation to the school and can’t wait to see how the new technology further energizes education in Norman and beyond.”– BSM