The school in the southwestern part of the state installed both a Whisper 80 wind turbine and photovoltaic solar panels, along with an energy storage system. The local power company, Waste Management, Inc., and grant money helped fund the project. The project is part of a larger community focus on environmental education geared toward renewable energy. The units are located in a separate building used for environmental camps and other school activities. The Shade Central City High School generates enough electricity that it receives a credit on its utility bill.
Shade Central City High School
203 McGregor Ave.
Cairnbrook, PA 15924
814-754-4648
shade.k12.pa.us
This university, located in the central-west portion of the state, has been committed to sustainability since 1990. The 83-acre Macoskey Center, located on the campus, includes demonstrations of sustainability techniques and provides education and seminars about sustainability for the university and the surrounding community. In 2007, the center activated a solar and wind turbine system to power its systems and to demonstrate the effectiveness of alternative energy. State grants and the work of Slippery Rock students helped make the project a reality, using a yearlong feasibility study performed by a former graduate student of the university.
Slippery Rock University
1 Morrow Way
Slippery Rock, PA 16057
800-778-9111
sru.edu
The Quaker school, located in central Pennsylvania near Penn State's main campus, employs a bank of 22 solar panels to generate about 3.6 kilowatts of power to the school. While this does not cover all the school's needs, it does save money while promoting one of the core Quaker values of stewardship. The system was installed in 2006 and has served as a visible symbol for the school's commitment to responsible environmental behavior within the community. About half the cost for the system came from a grant by West Penn Power.
State College Friends School
1900 University Drive
State College, PA 16801
814-237-8386
statecollegefriendsschool.org
The private school in the Chestnut Hill section boasts the largest solar array in the city. Its 10,000 square feet of solar panels are part of its quest to become carbon neutral by 2020. The system was activated in November 2009 and was jointly funded by a state Energy Harvest grant and fundraising headed by the class of 1966 as a 40th anniversary project.
Springside School
8000 Cherokee St.
Philadelphia, PA 19118
215-247-7200
springside.org