PG&E Solar Schools Program

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is pleased to launch the fifth year of the PG&E Solar Schools program. This program helps schools in the PG&E service area access resources to enhance the classroom experience, teach students about solar power, and receive the training necessary to teach about solar energy in the classroom. In 2006, PG&E received the Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council award for this program due in large part to the program's focus on improving teaching and learning about energy in schools in central and northern California.

2009 PG&E Solar Schools Summer Conference Series

July 7-8 Wind and Solar at U.C. Davis (PDF) - Conference Full
July 14-15 Biomass and Solar (Cowpower!) in Fresno (PDF) or Register Online
July 21-22 Nuclear and Solar in San Luis Obispo (PDF) - Conference Full

Bright Ideas Grant Opportunities - Fall Deadline - September 20 - Apply for Fall Grants Today

This program is funded by a grant from PG&E, in partnership with NEED and the Foundation for Environmental Education, has developed a program that assists local public schools with energy resources, science project grants, and supports local teachers with a specialized curriculum-all at no cost to the school.

About the Program

Installation of a solar generation system for the school’s educational use. The Foundation for Environmental Education will work with schools to make their installation project a great success. In the fifth year of the program, 100 schools have received photovoltaic installations.

To celebrate the completion of the first 100 PG&E Solar School "solar-on-a-stick" installations, PG&E is offering each school that has received a PG&E Solar Schools installation grant a chance win a large-scale, rooftop solar installation valued at $200,000!

Register for Teacher Training Workshops

To receive announcements about the training programs, please email pgesolarschools@need.org and provide name, school name, school address, city, state, and zip.

Solar Curriculum and Training for K-12 schools
This year, PG&E will provide grants allowing teachers to attend PG&E Solar Schools workshops and to receive NEED classroom kits and curriculum. These one-day workshops provide instruction and background to teachers, allow for networking, and prepare participants to return to their classrooms with the tools and knowledge to teach about solar energy and other energy sources and topics as well.

The PG&E Solar Schools Guide has lessons and research activities for schools to utilize the solar installations near them and throughout the PG&E Solar Schools network.

“Bright Ideas” Grants - Apply Online for the Fall Grant Period - Deadline September 20
PG&E recognizes that public schools are facing hard economic times. This is why the company has expanded its Bright Ideas Grant Program to include new categories that will provide additional learning opportunities for students and teachers while creating energy and money saving programs for school campuses throughout northern and central California. Credentialed teachers, professors, instructors, principals, deans, department heads, district administrators and facilities managers may apply to receive $1000, $2,500, $5000, or $10,000 grants to promote environmental stewardship in any of the five following categories.

 Educational Solar Projects: Successful submissions will include innovative classroom and extracurricular programs/projects that explore the science of solar energy and the generation of electricity from solar energy.

 Youth Energy and Environmental Programs: Successful submissions will include energy efficiency, recycling, composting, water reclamation and/or gardening programs and clubs that serve as learning and leadership opportunities for students, the faculty, and the community at large.

 Renewable Energy or Science Related Field Trips: Successful submissions will include transportation, admission, or expenses associated with field trips that excite students about science, energy, careers in energy and the environment.

 Green Your School Projects: Successful submissions will include energy efficiency upgrades, energy monitoring systems, and communication tools that will promote energy education and smart energy use at the school and in the community.

 Professional Development/Service Learning Projects/ Workforce Development Programs: Successful submissions will include projects that expand the teacher’s knowledge about renewable energy, energy resources and/or the future of the energy industry. High Schools and Community colleges may consider using the funding to create programs and curriculum to address workforce development in the growing renewable and efficiency industry and service learning opportunities in the local community.

Have questions? Want applications faxed to you? Give NEED at call at 800-875-5029 for assistance.