2 minute read
Solar for UWCSEA
UWCSEA STORIES
Solar for UWCSEA
lighting up classrooms and imaginations
ONE STUDENT’S STORY OF TAKING ACTION
Growing up on his uncle’s farm in Germany, Hermann Klein-Hessling ’20 witnessed firsthand the devastating effect of climate change on his family’s agricultural holdings and was determined to learn as much as he could about sustainability and make his career count; to make a difference for the future. When his family moved to Singapore and Hermann learned about UWCSEA’s sustainability learning opportunities and its mission, he was very excited to apply to the College and overjoyed when he was accepted. Hermann joined Solar for Dover in Grade 11 and was in his element. He discovered he loved connecting with younger students to share his passion for renewable energy. He also began what turned out to be an intensive course in eco-entrepreneurship as he was challenged to create a business case, marketing and fundraising plans, become comfortable with public speaking, work with volunteers, school leaders and government organisations and install panels.
Solar for UWCSEA kicked off in 2013, inspired by a Grade 5 student project. It has developed into a community supported programme that offsets the College’s energy usage and helps to reduce the College’s carbon emissions. Students work together with the Foundation to raise money for panels; each panel costs $600. Community members are invited to sponsor partial or whole panels and many families and classes have donated in remembrance of a special year or milestone event. In 2019/2020, the programme received a generous gift from the Dover Parents’ Association, adding 50 panels. The support of the Parents’ Associations on both East and Dover has been critical to the continued success of the Solar for UWCSEA programme. East will install its 100th panel in 2020/2021, with a special thanks to the East Parents’ Association who made a meaningful donation of solar panels to offset the annual energy consumption of the Parents’ Lounge.
8,594kWh
of electricity provided by 1 solar panel (over 25 years)
3,600kg
of Co2 offset by 1 solar panel (over 25 years)
3panels
to light up a classroom for one year
14 panels
to power a classroom (including air-conditioning, fans, lights, plugs, projectors and speakers)
The impact of Solar for UWCSEA goes well beyond the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. It is giving students life-changing opportunities to learn the skills necessary to create positive and sustainable change for the future. Hermann graduated in 2020 and is now volunteering with The Climate Action Project (together with NASA and WWF) during his Gap Year to develop a free, online sustainability curriculum that students can access worldwide.
Read more. Explore the Solar for UWCSEA websites
HERMANN KLEIN-HESSLING ’20
