GLOUCESTER, Va. — The Solar for Students project is an initiative created by Dominion Energy that teaches children about the importance of renewable energy.
One focus area of the project is to allow students the opportunity to observe and learn firsthand what it means to harness solar energy.
On Tuesday, Abingdon Elementary School in Gloucester unveiled its new solar panel under the National Energy Education Development project.
Both Dominion Energy representatives and students who are a part of the Abingdon Nature Club witnessed the ribbon cutting of their brand-new solar panel.
First-grade teacher and Nature Club Advisor Kathy Autrey tells News 3 that her students are excited about this unique opportunity.
"Well, I teach nature club on Friday mornings and those students have already been learning about solar energy with plants and how we use solar energy in everyday life. And so they are excited about the new opportunity we have to have a solar panel on campus," said Autrey.
In addition to the new panel, Dominion also provided the school with a data tracking system that will allow students to watch sunlight hit the panel in real-time and compare it to other panels within the city.
First-grade student Lily Arnstrong tells News 3 her favorite part about the program is tracking the sunlight that comes into the panel.
"Sometimes it will make a spark and sometimes it won't and it's just cool to watch it spark though," said Arnstrong.
Solar panels are now located in more than 40 schools in Virginia, one museum and one education center.
To learn more about this program and partnership with Dominion Energy visit their website.
