Solar Energy Education Grants
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There are more grants available for solar education than ever before.
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In April 2010, the United States Department of Energy announced up to $10 million in funding will be made available to two organizations: the International City-County Management Association, and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives-Local Governments for Sustainability. The purpose of these grants is to "conduct outreach to thousands of local governments across the nation, sharing best practices for increasing solar energy use in their communities," and to provide "a mix of educational workshops, peer-to-peer sharing opportunities, and national Web-based resources." To meet the current need for solar energy education in America, government agencies and private companies are offering innovative energy education grants.
Solar America Cities
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Twenty-five U.S. cities were chosen to participate in the Solar America Cities program.
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The Solar America Cities program is a partnership between 25 American cities. The Department of Energy (DOE) has created solar education and outreach materials that are being made available online, such as Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments. The DOE says "a key tenet of the Solar America Cities program is the ability to replicate successes by sharing best practices among cities." Solar America Cities have received large grants to educate and build solar technology programs. A list of Solar America Cities can be found online and these are the cities which have the best funded solar education and grant programs currently. Look for grants and programs falling under the Solar America Cities program.
Solar Grants for Educators
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Grants for solar education are available from government and private sources.
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Private companies and government agencies both offer solar education grants. TXU Solar Academy offers cost-reimbursed solar energy workshops for teachers and students in grades K-12. There are several grants available to help get schools on track with solar technology. FirstEnergy offers teachers grants to develop technology in the classroom. The Ohio Office of Environmental Education has the Ohio Environmental Education Fund which funds approximately one million dollars in environmental education projects yearly for grades K-12 through college level and the Wisconsin Environmental Education Board has an Energy Education Grant Program. Check your city, county, and state energy boards for educational grants they may offer.
Energy Company Education Grants
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Many utilities companies offer grants for educators in solar energy.
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The Florida Power and Light Company has a teacher grant program to help fund renewable energy education. The Pacific Gas and Electric Company runs a Solar Schools program that gives grants to "schools in the PG&E service area access resources to enhance the classroom experience, teach students about solar power and energy resources and receive the training necessary to teach about solar energy in the classroom." American Electric Power is offering Teacher Vision Grants for projects that study the balance of energy and the environment and PPL is also offering environmental education grants. Oklahoma's Oil and Natural Gas is offering the Harlan Krumme Energy Education Grant. Contact your local energy and utility companies and ask if they offer solar or environmental education grants, as many of them do offer grants and resources for educators.
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Related Searches
References
- U.S. Department of Energy: DOE Announces Up To $10 Million for Solar Energy Education for Local Governments
- TXU Energy: Solar Academy Teacher Training and Registration
- FirstEnergy: Mathematics, Science and Technology Grants
- Florida Power and Light Company: Teacher Grants
- PPL: PPL Environmental Education Grants
Resources
- Photo Credit sun image by Bube from Fotolia.com sun image by riminarb from Fotolia.com money makes money image by Andrey Andreev from Fotolia.com the hoover dam image by Darren White from Fotolia.com
