Funded by grants from the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation, the first small scale 1.5KW solar panel system for Homer 33C schools was installed in September 2010 at Homer Junior High School. In July of 2012, a second system was installed at Goodings Grove School. These solar systems will be vital educational tools not only for the students at Homer Junior High, but also for all Homer 33C students and surrounding community.
The solar panel systems are an important educational tool for teachers to use in achieving the goal of the District to engage students in hands-on learning using math and science activities in a real world, problem solving setting. Selected science teachers from all schools are attending professional development workshops sponsored by National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project and Illinois Clean Energy Foundation to acquire innovative curriculum using the solar panel data. Through the monitoring system, students, teachers and the community will have access to real time and historical data, enabling them to learn how renewable energy sources save vital natural resources and protect the environment.
Homer CCSD 33C welcomes the public to view the data from the solar panels and learn how much energy is produced by these small systems. Community members, students and teachers will be invited to participate in a Solarbration at Goodings Grove School to learn more about solar energy and energy conservation.
The District is proud to be part of the Illinois Solar Schools program and promote an energy conscious and educated society.