Ames High students say the district can save $5 million through solar energy

Celia Brocker, Ames Tribune
·3 min read
A group of Ames High School students who call themselves "Solar Rangers" have taken their science project on solar panels to the district as a possible energy alternative.
A group of Ames High School students who call themselves "Solar Rangers" have taken their science project on solar panels to the district as a possible energy alternative.

A group of Ames High students who call themselves "Solar Rangers" said the district could save $5 million in five years if they switch to solar energy.

The Ames Community School District board of directors said at its Monday meeting that they will consider the first phase of the student's solar panel energy proposal.

Students Anna Conn, Levi Crabb, Addy Danielson, Ashley Flattery, Eleanor Reynolds, Maegan Schoppe, Anleah Walker and Julian Weddle make up the "Solar Rangers."

They initially created a solar energy proposal for a science class, but the group decided to take it one step further.

The students said that installing solar panels could save the district $5 million over the next five years while also reducing its carbon footprint. They also said it would help Ames CSD rely less on fossil fuels and more on natural energy.

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Terry Dvorak, CEO of Red Lion Renewables (left), and Collin Reichert, science teacher at Ames High School (right), stand with the "Solar Rangers." In alphabetical order: Anna Conn, Levi Crabb, Addy Danielson, Ashley Flattery, Eleanor Reynolds, Maegan Schoppe, Anleah Walker and Julian Weddle.
Terry Dvorak, CEO of Red Lion Renewables (left), and Collin Reichert, science teacher at Ames High School (right), stand with the "Solar Rangers." In alphabetical order: Anna Conn, Levi Crabb, Addy Danielson, Ashley Flattery, Eleanor Reynolds, Maegan Schoppe, Anleah Walker and Julian Weddle.

Solar panel project originated in science class

The Solar Rangers started their Earth Science project in March. With some help from their teacher, Collin Reichert, and Red Lion Renewables CEO Terry Dvorak, the team calculated by hand the amount of energy the school district is currently using.

They then determined the energy use if the district installed solar panels.

The students discovered Ames CSD uses over nine million kilowatt-hours a year in its school buildings. A kilowatt-hour is a unit of energy that measures electricity. The students determined the equivalent in greenhouse gas emissions is more than eight million pounds of carbon dioxide a year.

The students said the same amount of emissions are created by 916 gasolene-powered passenger vehicles and 1,300 tons of recycled waste.

Ames CSD spent a little over $1 million last fiscal year for electricity at all its school facilities., according to Ames CSD Chief Financial Officer Sherri Ruzek.

The students revealed that it would cost the Ames school district $17.6 million to install solar panels at each of its school buildings.

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What is the Solar Rangers' proposal?

The students suggest adding 1.2 megawatts of solar power at Ames High School for the first phase. They said the high school uses the most energy at more than four million kilowatt-hours per year.

Phase one also includes adding solar panels on one section of the high school, as well as a canopy of panels above the football entrance.

The cost to install solar panels at the high school would be about $2.8 million, according to the Solar Rangers

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The Solar Rangers present their solar panel project at the school board meeting Monday, May 6.
The Solar Rangers present their solar panel project at the school board meeting Monday, May 6.

Solar Rangers volunteer to lead project

When the students finished their science project, they all agreed to pitch a proposal to the school board. They figured why should they wait on someone else to do what they'd already done?

"We're in a class learning about change, and we have the option to make change," Crabb said.

All eight students presented their proposals to the school board on Monday, passing the microphone to each member. Their presentation mirrored how they created the project, working together as a team and everyone doing their part.

"We all had our struggles (during the project). We definitely got through it, and we all worked together really well," Conn said. "I think we all pushed each other to go farther."

The Solar Rangers would like to see Ames CSD transition to solar power to reduce its carbon footprint. They would also like the district to encourage visiting districts to learn how solar power is more efficient and healthier for the Earth.

The school board enlisted the facilities committee to investigate adding solar panels to Ames CSD facilities.

Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Ames High School students pitch solar energy to school board