Solar-power project debuts at local middle school
By The Bakersfield Californian
Sierra Middle School on Thursday unveiled its $200,000 solar power system courtesy of a PG&E grant that will power about 20 classrooms, lower the campus' overall energy bill and will be used as a catalyst for "green" education.
The school also celebrated its new title -- "California Solar Schools Model" -- the first in PG&E's Solar School Program that teaches the value of renewable energy and energy efficiency at 125 campuses throughout California.
Related Photos
During Thursday's ribbon cutting ceremony for Sierra Middle School's solar project, 8th grader Monica Ramos serves up some hot mini pizzas that she and other students cooked in the small solar ovens for demonstration purposes on campus. Sierra received a $200,000 grant from PG&E to install solar panels that will power half the school.
Sierra Middle School student and pizza cook, 8th grader Monica Ramos, waits for the mini pizzas to cook during Thursday's ribbon cutting ceremony after PG&E gave the school a $200,000 grant to install solar panels. The small sun ovens were used to heat up pizzas for ceremony participants.
Students at Sierra Middle School work on some bead projects before a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday celebrating receipt of a $200,000 grant from PG&E to install solar panels. The panels will power half the campus, and save the district in energy costs.
During Thursday's ribbon cutting ceremony for Sierra Middle School's solar project, 8th grader Monica Ramos serves up some hot mini pizzas that she and other students cooked in the small solar ovens for demonstration purposes on campus. Sierra received a $200,000 grant from PG&E to install solar panels that will power half the school.
Joining the campus in the ribbon cutting celebration Thursday were district administrators, elected officials and solar and energy company representatives.
The 44 solar panels hang above the blacktop and generate 20 kilowatts, and could save about $6,000 per year in energy costs, officials said. The campus is also home to a 1 kilowatt solar array.
The campus since 2005 has been home to a Kids for Solar Energy Club, advised by teachers Allison Arnold and Robert Hodash, each of whom were recognized for their efforts.
-- Jorge Barrientos, Californian staff
Most CommentedMost Popular
Since Karen Goh returned to Kern County from a publishing career in New York in 2004, she has helped foster a strong network of Christian leaders in government, politics, media, business and nonprofits.
California voters approved Proposition 215 in 1996, giving "seriously ill Californians ... the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes" as recommended by a physician.
Kern County has agreed to pay a Kern River Valley family $1 million for wrongfully taking their son in 2008 when the family was in a dispute with the South Fork Union School District over how school officials were dealing with the boy's food allergies.
Is Kern County, as has widely been reported, really the expulsion capital of California? That's the question posed Friday by state Sen. Michael Rubio, D-Shafter, to 50 or so Kern County educators, elementary and high school district administrators and community leaders.
Since Karen Goh returned to Kern County from a publishing career in New York in 2004, she has helped foster a strong network of Christian leaders in government, politics, media, business and nonprofits.
Kern County has agreed to pay a Kern River Valley family $1 million for wrongfully taking their son in 2008 when the family was in a dispute with the South Fork Union School District over how school officials were dealing with the boy's food allergies.
Young's Marketplace, an independent grocery store that's a Bakersfield institution, will close at the end of the week.
Bakersfield’s Faast Pharmacy is going out of business and will be acquired by the big chain CVS, it was confirmed Monday.