Bringing Portable Solar Power to the Classroom
Bringing Portable Solar Power to the Classroom
The program, created by We Share Solar, provides classrooms with all the tools necessary to build a stand-alone, 12-volt DC solar power system.
“I started by teaching the students about California’s 2045 carbon neutrality goals, and once I brought out the cases, they immediately started building,” Marais said. “I’ve been teaching for more than 20 years, and I’ve never seen kids more engaged.”
The battery stores 84 watt-hours when fully charged. That is enough energy to provide 16 hours of light, fully charge 10 cellphones, or power a laptop for up to three hours.
Living in a high fire risk area and still recovering from last year’s fire season, San Jacinto Leadership Academy students have a vested interest in renewable energy.
“Last year, there was a really big fire here, and it knocked out our power for a long time. We couldn’t do anything, not even homework,” said Kaitlin Rodriguez, an eighth grader involved in the build.
“Edison International is proud to partner with We Share Solar to promote our shared goal of advancing renewable energy,” said Alejandro Esparza, SCE principal manager for Philanthropy and Community Engagement. “We hope through this program, we can help with emergency power resources when needed, especially to our Inland Empire communities, while also inspiring more young minds to explore a career in STEM.”
For more information, visit edison.com/clean-energy.