EPA Administrator and Earth Day Network attend high school's unveiling of solar panels

June 24, 3:31 AMDC Youth Issues ExaminerAisha Ali

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On Tuesday, June 9, 2009, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology joined other solar-powered schools across the nation. The Environment Impact Club (EIC), fellow students and teachers, and Sean Miller, director of education for Earth Day Network (EDN), unveiled a brand-new string of 22 solar panels on the roof of Thomas Jefferson.

Also on deck was Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Lisa P. Jackson, as well as Earth Day Network’s partner, Energy Action Coalition (EAC).

Jackson, extremely pleased with the success of the Thomas Jefferson Solar Panel Initiative, applauded each student who played an intricate role in the community effort leading to the installation of these 22 solar panels. Jackson said such an Initiative deserves recognition, as it should serve as a model for all communities.

“Really smart kids like you get the importance of reducing greenhouse emissions,” Jackson said.

Additionally, Jackson is changing the face of the "corrupt" EPA many environmentalists came to know under former President George W. Bush’s administration. In only four months, Jackson and her EPA staff have facilitated dialogues and strengthened relationships with countless green-initiative organizations on how they can be of service in implementing or supporting green policies.

“I can definitely say with Administrator Jackson leading the EPA, it has definitely been easier,” Miller said. “The EPA actually reaches out to organizations, which makes our jobs a lot easier…She and her staff have been very receptive and proactive.”

Jackson’s enthusiasm for preserving our planet is obvious, as she congratulated Thomas Jefferson on its success and steps towards a brighter and greener future.

   The installation of these 22 solar panels will be the first of many steps Thomas Jefferson will take while on its journey to transforming its outdated building to meet LEED standards.

Thomas Jefferson’s science and technology program differs from other public high schools, as it is often compared to the most noteworthy magnet schools in the nation.

In 1985, through the cooperation of state and county governments, as well as corporate sponsorship from the defense and technology societies, Thomas Jefferson became a specialty school in science and technology with a selective admissions process. Yet, the building in which Thomas Jefferson operates has existed since 1965, making it almost 10 years short from being half-a-century old.

For two consecutive years— the first on November 29, 2007 and the second on December 4, 2008— Thomas Jefferson won top rank in the Best High Schools in the United States Rankings, according to the U.S. News & World Report. Hence, it is only natural Thomas Jefferson strives to be the greenest and most efficient school in the nation as well, especially with its specialty programs centering around science and technology.

The EIC, headed by president and Harvard-bound senior Varun Bansal, first decided to pursue the idea of sustainable energy two years ago when Bansal approached Amanda Horowitz, sponsor of the Initiative and teacher of humanities and anthropology who had also been deeply involved in past EDN events, on how to contact EDN, in hopes of receiving the organization’s support with the EIC’s Initiative. After hearing Bansal’s proposal, Miller argued neither EDN nor its partners could turn away Bansal, as he definitely was the catalyst for change Thomas Jefferson needed. Furthermore, EDN had already been entrenched in helping schools, such as Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School, “go green"-- it could not refuse Thomas Jefferson, especially with such innovative ideas Bansal presented.

During the process of determining what energy source would be most beneficial, the EIC considered both wind and solar. Most power in Northern Virginia largely derives from coal-fired power plants, which emit mass quantities of carbon dioxide. With this in consideration, the EIC finally decided on solar energy, as the benefits of a solar-powered rather than wind-powered system, would be even more distinct.

As of June 24, 2009 at 1:02 am, these solar panels have reduced 214.32 kg of carbon, produced 239.20 kWh worth of energy, and have saved $143.04. Flat-screen monitors, which display amounts of generated electricity through the solar panel system since the installation on Monday, June 8, 2009, are placed at the school’s entrance. This information is also available via Thomas Jefferson’s web site.

Thomas Jefferson will reap significant rewards from this solar-powered system. The amount of renewable energy Thomas Jefferson will receive is 3 percent, which is double the national standard and average, as the United States only receives 1.5 percent of its renewable energy, presently.

“The 3 percent is directly tied to the energy costs of the school,” Miller said. “Thus, the solar panel system is now providing directly 3 percent of the school’s power. While that might sound small, it adds up to big savings, and can be expanded easily with more money in the future.”

Jackson also addressed this during her keynote speech, as she suggested Thomas Jefferson was “ahead of the game" with its hi-tech system.

The new system will also save Thomas Jefferson approximately $50,000 over the warranty lifespan of 25 years. However, the system can extend further than that, as a maintenance contract has been secured to extend the lifespan of this system.

“This is a direct savings at no-cost to the District because the money was donated,” Miller said. “Furthermore, it will also save the school over 140,000 pounds of carbon dioxide during that 25 years lifespan from being emitted into the atmosphere from the school’s power supply and usage. So, we are able to save green in both ways, via monetary and environmental benefits.”

The Green Mile

During my interview with Miller, I asked if it was easier working with Thomas Jefferson’s EIC when compared to other schools EDN has helped, especially since Thomas Jefferson specializes in science and technology. Miller admits while Thomas Jefferson students seemed more anxious to test capability of the panels, going through several processes to ensure the panels’ functionality were efficient, as Thomas Jefferson has an energy lab where studies can be conducted and results recorded continuously throughout the process, he still cannot discount the enthusiasm, knowledge, or efforts of others like Thurgood.

“TJ (Thomas Jefferson) focused more on solar energy because their main concern was how much energy the school was using— they wanted to know how to make their school more efficient,” Miller said. “However, Thurgood wanted to further expand a green garden because these students, mostly residing in urban areas, live in a food dessert where they very seldom have access to fresh foods that haven't been processed. So, their (Thurgood's) problem was dealing with dismal food; however, solar panels were also added as an additional benefit.”

The successful installation of these 22 solar panels did not come easy to Thomas Jefferson, as the EIC was not given any grants. Instead, the EIC launched several fundraising initiatives, in order to raise $56,000 for the panel installation. With the help of two graduating classes of Thomas Jefferson, house delegates, Whole Foods, a few environmental organizations such as EDN and its partner EAC, and of course, the surrounding community, the EIC was able to raise enough money.

Now, two years later, after arduously raising funds, tackling hurdles to obtain permits, and seeking approval to install solar panels atop one its lab, the EIC and supportive Thomas Jefferson students and teachers, have seen the end result: a more efficient school with less carbon emissions, an extended budget, and renewable energy.

This fundraising effort on behalf of the EIC for Thomas Jefferson has been recognized as, “The largest charitable, privately-funded photovoltaic solar panel installation at any secondary school in the nation.”

When asking if Thomas Jefferson will endure as many obstacles on its green mile journey to becoming a fully LEED-recognized school, Miller avows since Thomas Jefferson has made such an impression in the community with this effort, the school will actually receive design and construction grants for its upcoming renovations.

According to Miller, junior Seth Kolker, current secretary, will head the EIC, as Bansal will be furthering his green career through environmental sciences at Harvard next school year.

Yet, if the anticipated amount of design and construction grants fall short to complete upcoming renovations, the EIC, Thomas Jefferson students and teachers, parents, as well as city and state officials and local businesses will ban together to make it happen, once again. As Miller said during his interview, “TJ has proven it can do anything. I have no doubt in my mind they will be successful in the rest of the renovation phase. “

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