Thorne Ecological Institute celebrates new solar energy system

On Thursday, July 29, a dozen local youth participating in Thorne Ecological Institute’s Renewable Energy Summer Camp hosted an event to celebrate Thorne’s new 10kw Solar Photovoltaic system.

Each summer, Thorne hosts a week-long camp on renewable energy. This year, Thorne’s students, ages 5 to 11, have something to celebrate: a new 10kw photovoltaic system funded by grants from Simple Solar and the City of Boulder’s Climate-Smart Solar Grant Fund. This solar system reduces energy costs by approximately $1,750 per year while improving the environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 26,250 pounds per year. The new PV system compliments a wind turbine erected at the site in 2007, making Thorne the first Colorado environmental education center powered by the wind and the sun.
Located across the street from the Valmont Power Plant, Sombrero Marsh provides the perfect location for youth to learn about renewable energy and how it is better for the environment than energy derived from coal and other fossil fuels. Throughout the week, students experiment with miniature solar cells and wind turbines and learn how the on-site wind turbine and solar panels are used to power everything from Thorne’s lights and computers to its fish tanks and educational displays.

Simple Solar approached Thorne in 2009 and offered to donate time and materials to install a solar PV system as well as to help with educating Thorne’s students about solar energy. An $18,394 grant from the City of Boulder’s Climate-Smart Solar Grant Fund was awarded to Thorne to cover the remaining costs of the system.

Thorne Ecological Institute is located at Sombrero Marsh at 1466 N. 63rd St. in East Boulder.

Respond: letters@boulderweekly.com

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