For Release: 09/25/2009

Gibraltar High School Celebrates SolarWise!

Sturgeon Bay, WI -- WPS Community Foundation is pleased to welcome Gibraltar High School to the SolarWise® for Schools family.

In August, the school received a 2-kilowatt rooftop solar-electric system. Dedication ceremonies for the solar-electric system will be held on Wednesday, September 30, at 9:00 a.m. in the Door Community Auditorium located at 3924 Highway 42, Fish Creek, WI. See the following agenda for complete details and for photo opportunities.

The system was donated to the school by the WPS Community Foundation as part of the SolarWise® for Schools program. Forty-three other public and private schools have received solar-electric systems since the program began in 1996. The program is funded by donations from 3,200 Wisconsin Public Service customers and grants from the Focus on Energy program.

The school's 2-kilowatt solar-electric system will generate about 2,900 kilowatt-hours each year. That's enough electricity to light three classrooms and save the school about $320 on their electric bills. In addition to the solar equipment, the school was awarded a three-week renewable energy curriculum to be integrated into the science curriculum. Students and teachers can access data from the solar-electric systems via the Internet and use the information in classroom projects throughout the year.

"SolarWise for Schools creates a win-win-win situation," said Lynn Kroll, Community Relations Leader, Wisconsin Public Service. "The schools save some money, it's beneficial to the environment and, most important, students learn first-hand about renewable energy."

AGENDA
9:00 a.m. - Dedication Ceremony in the Door Community Auditorium - open to students, staff and the public. Media and members of the public must register at the school office. Speakers include Mr. Don Pardonner of the Door County Renewable Energy Task Force,as well as representatives from Gibraltar High School and WPS Community Foundation.
9:50 a.m. - WPS Energy Fair in the Middle School Gym - open to students and staff. Media and members of the public must register at the school office.

Indoor Displays:
SolarWise for Schools
Renewable Energy
Benefits of Tree Planting
Hydroelectric Facilities
Path-to-Ground Safety Demonstration
Utility Careers
Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP)

Outdoor Displays:
Solar education trailer

For More Information, Contact: