Sharon Hanks
Allegan County trade school students will obtain hands-on experiences with solar construction next fall by building an innovative, first-of-a-kind mini-village of four little houses and a garage fully powered by the sun. Photovoltaic panels will generate energy for the homes while panels on the garage will generate power to recharge an old electric Ford Ranger donated by the Alfred E. Chase Charity Foundation.
More than 80 students at Allegan County Area Career and Technical Education Center (ACATEC) will work on the new project known as REVv -- Renewable Energy Voltage Village -- that will be built on school-owned property next to the Technical Center on M-222 across from Padgham Field.
"It's the first project of its kind for a career and technology center in Michigan," says Linda Blankenship, ACATEC principal. "We're really excited!"
The novel approach is in keeping with the Center's mission to offer students training in skills that reflect the needs of local industries, Blankenship says. After exploring employment opportunities in both wind and solar technology, Robert Karns, the center's renewable energy technology instructor, concluded solar would offer the greatest job growth in the community.
Students will apply their new knowledge by installing and wiring low and moderate voltage systems in little frame houses. Each one-room house will be about 18 feet by 25 and built in different shapes and with various roof pitches.
Construction by building trade students will begin in September while students enrolled in the electrical technology class will conduct outside activities, such as earth resistant measurements, solar and wind site surveys, the analysis of weather conditions and climbing safety techniques.
Karns told school officials the site is ideal for a true-south exposure because it is exposed to nearly a 180 degree sun arc throughout each day.
Source: Linda Blankenship, principal at the Allegan County Area Career and Technical Education Center
Sharon Hanks is innovations and jobs news editor at Rapid Growth Media. Please send story ideas and comments for the column to Sharon at [email protected]. She also is owner of The Write Words in Grand Rapids.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.