IMS lands grant for community solar and energy project

The Iowa Office of Energy Independence (OEI) announced grants for community-based energy efficiency and renewable eneregy projects. An Iowa Mennonite School project was one of 30 selected for funding.
IMS will use its $9,475 grant to install a solar array on the school grounds and incorporate energy education in to the school curriculum. Farmers Electric Cooperative and Central Plains Solar are partners in the project, providing technical and additional financial support.
The key component of the IMS “Community Solar and Education Program” will be a 1.8 kW tracking photovoltaic array that will be tied to the school’s electrical system. The solar array will be installed in early spring and will be located near the southeast corner of the gymnasium. Data about the array’s energy output will be collected via an internet module and will be used as a teaching tool for physics, science and economics. The array’s real-time output will be posted on the school’s website.
The IMS project also includes a Community Energy Day in which students will help local families implement energy efficiency improvements in the homes. The Washington Township Optimists will partner with IMS and Farmers Electric for this service project.
The OEI Community Grant program is funded through the annual Iowa Power Fund appropriation. The program was created to help local communities, non-profits and businesses improve energy efficiency and expand the use of renewable energy. A list of project awards is available on the OEI website at www.energy.iowa.gov.