Environmentally friendly, economically sound

Pollution. Rapid increase in gas prices. Global warming. All are topics that have been plastered across newspapers and have baffled the experts. However, it seems, Eastfield has found an answer to some of those problems. The installation of a two solar panels at Eastfield comes as a teaching tool and an energy producer for the campus. Donated by Green Mountain Energy the solar panel is a first for Eastfield. "It is one thing to talk about green energy, but it is another to do it," Carlos Moreno, project manager for Standard Renewable Energy said. "It helps draw attention to the school and the community." The 4.4 kilowatt photovoltaic cells on the solar panel absorb the sun's rays, transforming the energy into electricity, which is converted from direct current energy into alternating current and is finally transported to a service panel which uses the energy for electrical purposes. There are a few main benefits Eastfield will receive by using the solar panel. First, the electricity produced by the panel will reduce the electric bill for Eastfield. Second, it will openly act as a visual aid for those wanting to get a close look at green energy. "Instead of using fossil fuels or hydroelectric power you are using power from the sun," Moreno said. "We have a virtually unlimited supply of energy from the sun and we are using it to produce electricity to reduce other less-environmentally-friendly sources". The panels are also low maintenance, it requireing only that it be washed one or two times a year in order to clean amassed dirt and bird droppings. Jim Jones,Eastfield Green Team member who assisted the college and district staff on the acquisition of the solar panels, gave further information. "The most significant impact of the panels will be related to classroom instruction. They will serve as model for alternative energy to both students and staff. The panels will also produce electricity which will feed directly into our power grid, thus reducing our overall energy use," Jones said.

"There are no plans at this time to install another solar panel at Eastfield," Eastfield president Jean Conway said. Eastfield has taken major steps in improving and promoting its green energy initiative by installing the solar panels.