By Greentech Lead America: The SunPower Foundation, a
nonprofit organization established by SunPower, has partnered with One Million
Lights, a nonprofit that provides solar lighting to rural communities
globally, to launch One Million Students, a solar education program for K-12
schools.
The program provides education to
increase student understanding of how solar works and how it is being applied
to generate clean, renewable energy in locations around the world.
“One Million Students employs a creative approach to
education and addresses the critical issue for renewable energy solutions in
our lives. This program enables us to bring our global solar light programs
full circle by sharing our experiences and knowledge with children here in the
States,” said Anna Sidana, founder of One Million Lights.
The One Million Students program features three, one-hour
lesson plans which highlight real-life case studies on solar technology use worldwide
along with interactive learning tools including solar-powered LED lights and
solar electricity testing kits.
Different curricula are provided based on specific
education levels: elementary school, middle school or high school. Plans can be
integrated into existing environmental studies, math and science courses, and
delivered by SunPower or One Million Lights representatives.
At the beginning of this year, SunPower and One
Million Lights piloted the One Million Students program in San
Francisco Bay Area classrooms.
“The program will help to educate the next
generation of solar leaders about a pressing need for clean energy solutions
while increasing their awareness of solar’s growing presence around the
world,” said Doug Richards, SunPower Foundation chairman.
SunPower partners with Giulio Barbieri to offer solar carports
in Italy
Recently SunPower has signed an agreement with Giulio
Barbieri, an Italian manufacturer of aluminum modular coverings, to design and
manufacture the new SunPower Carport for the Italian residential market.