Solar for UWCSEA

STORIES UWCSEA

Solar for UWCSEA Lighting up classrooms and imaginations

2018/2019 was a dazzling year for the solar panel programme at UWCSEA, with the first community solar panel installation at East Campus. The East solar initiative grew from a seed of an idea that was planted many years ago, when the Solar for East students were in Middle School and were inspired by the success of the Solar for Dover project.

Now truly a College initiative, Solar for UWCSEA is all about making the world a better—and brighter—place, as well as playing an important role in developing our students as a generation of changemakers.

EAST SWITCHING ON TO SOLAR Only two years ago, a group of dedicated students started to plan, ask questions and research a way forward for the solar panel project they had designed. Discussions took place with the Facilities team, solar panel companies, school leaders, school departments and with potential donors. Technical and design questions were explored. Students determined how to persuade the College’s Board of Governors about the viability of their project, with the long- and short-term projections of financial and maintenance issues, which meant having to become thoroughly conversant with the data, ready with answers and completely confident in their knowledge and understanding of the issues.

With funding from generous donors and the East Campus Parents’ Association, the first solar installation event took place in February 2019. On this day, the East Campus community saw with their own eyes where ‘running with a passion’ can lead when you have a group of committed students with a common cause. Solar for East has been a tremendous learning experience for the student team and the installation event was an education for community members too about the power of collective action to create transformative change.

Looking ahead to 2019/2020, the Solar teams will continue to raise funds for new panels as we seek to complete this vital project.

“It is difficult to think which of the elements of the UWCSEA profile were not required in this project! Whether it was showing resilience and creativity when being asked by the Board to return once they had further developed their plan, or finessing their communication prowess to persuade donors of the long term impact and value of the project, the students had to draw on their skills and qualities, rely on those of others in the team, and possibly develop particular ones at different stages of the planning, design and implementation.”

CATHY JONES, High School Vice Principal, East

Other Sustainability education initiatives funded in 2018/2019: Rainforest Restoration Nurseries | Tree planting | Edible Gardens | Biodiversity Landscaping | Biodiversity and Biomimicry | Marine Conservation | Composting

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Our Shared Values in Action