<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Umbra on gifts for your school]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by caniscandida http://www.grist.org/article/senior_gift/ Wed, 25 Apr 2007 05:00:00 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/senior_gift/1 "dirty looks" indeed!


Solar panels are an excellent suggestion, given this sudden influx of money.

It all depends on the context, of course, but establishing a community garden, to be tended constantly by the students of that school, would be very worthwhile too.

I know nothing about that part of the country (I know little about anything, actually), but possibly something could be done to study the local river (presumably there is a river not far away), with a view to removing or altering its dam(s) (presumably, if there is a river in the PacNW, there is a dam, at least one).  And investigation, and publication of results, may take money.

You environmentalist journalists should be constant advisers of these kids, no matter what direction they pursue.

And they should know, of course, that we wish them all the best.

]]> "dirty looks" indeed!


Solar panels are an excellent suggestion, given this sudden influx of money.

It all depends on the context, of course, but establishing a community garden, to be tended constantly by the students of that school, would be very worthwhile too.

I know nothing about that part of the country (I know little about anything, actually), but possibly something could be done to study the local river (presumably there is a river not far away), with a view to removing or altering its dam(s) (presumably, if there is a river in the PacNW, there is a dam, at least one).  And investigation, and publication of results, may take money.

You environmentalist journalists should be constant advisers of these kids, no matter what direction they pursue.

And they should know, of course, that we wish them all the best.

]]> Comment #2 by IdeaMill http://www.grist.org/article/senior_gift/ Wed, 25 Apr 2007 06:48:44 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/senior_gift/2 Why Not Give Solar AND Clean Water?

I spent 10 great years in Northern Cal so thought I'd weigh in with an idea that builds on Umbra's good suggestion (actually, her solar bee-in-bonnet brought this to mind): check out the SolarBee circulator!  It is unique, state-of-the art, and will meet your goal of a "green gift" while providing your community with better water for years to come.

It can be installed in a local pond to improve fishing, recreation, etc.  Many municipalities in California have already begun using them, and this would be a great gift that would keep on giving long after you've graduated.  If it costs a little more than you have, you might be able to get a grant from the city.

A nice celebration could be planned when it is installed, bringing your environmental efforts "to light!"

]]> Why Not Give Solar AND Clean Water?

I spent 10 great years in Northern Cal so thought I'd weigh in with an idea that builds on Umbra's good suggestion (actually, her solar bee-in-bonnet brought this to mind): check out the SolarBee circulator!  It is unique, state-of-the art, and will meet your goal of a "green gift" while providing your community with better water for years to come.

It can be installed in a local pond to improve fishing, recreation, etc.  Many municipalities in California have already begun using them, and this would be a great gift that would keep on giving long after you've graduated.  If it costs a little more than you have, you might be able to get a grant from the city.

A nice celebration could be planned when it is installed, bringing your environmental efforts "to light!"

]]> Comment #3 by kyotousa http://www.grist.org/article/senior_gift/ Wed, 25 Apr 2007 07:05:07 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/senior_gift/3 HELiOS Project

KyotoUSA has developed a concept for installing solar on California's public schools that won't cost the school district anything more than it is currently paying for electricity. We call it HELiOS - Helios Energy Lights Our Schools.

The idea is to provide the district with a "gift" - money raised by a city's residents, foundations, etc. that offsets the cost differential between the annual payments for the PV system and what the district saves in electricty costs. The size of the "gift" depends on the size of the solar system and the rebate amount available from PG&E, but it is a relatively small amount (e.g., less than $40K for a 100Kw system producing about 160,000 KwH annually). In 7-8 years a district can be saving more in avoided electricity costs than it is paying for the system.

There are a lot of variations on this concept that can address the needs of a district. You can read a bit more at http://www.kyotousa.org and you are welcome to contact us to discuss how this might work for your school or school district.

]]> HELiOS Project

KyotoUSA has developed a concept for installing solar on California's public schools that won't cost the school district anything more than it is currently paying for electricity. We call it HELiOS - Helios Energy Lights Our Schools.

The idea is to provide the district with a "gift" - money raised by a city's residents, foundations, etc. that offsets the cost differential between the annual payments for the PV system and what the district saves in electricty costs. The size of the "gift" depends on the size of the solar system and the rebate amount available from PG&E, but it is a relatively small amount (e.g., less than $40K for a 100Kw system producing about 160,000 KwH annually). In 7-8 years a district can be saving more in avoided electricity costs than it is paying for the system.

There are a lot of variations on this concept that can address the needs of a district. You can read a bit more at http://www.kyotousa.org and you are welcome to contact us to discuss how this might work for your school or school district.

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