Last Friday, high school students from Henrico County’s Center for Environmental Studies and Sustainability investigated a variety renewable energy careers and had an opportunity to learn from several local professionals. These activities were part of a sustainability-themed field trip to Malvern Hill Battlefield property for students enrolled in the Energy Supply, Sustainability, and Efficiency course.
First, students played a card game – played similarly to “Go Fish” – featuring real-life professionals who worked on actual renewable energy projects, including the solar array at Henrico’s Libbie Mill Library. The game spotlights a diverse set of professionals that contributed to each project, from an electrician working on a wind project to a boat captain supporting a river hydro-kinetic operation.
Next, Henrico County’s Energy Manager, Carrie Webster, and a representative from Sun Tribe Solar, Meghan Milo spoke in more detail about their jobs and the factors each organization considered when developing a successful solar partnership.
Henrico County started the process to adopt solar in 2018 as a step toward environmental and financial long-term goals. Today, Henrico is a solar leader in Virginia with 14 solar buildings (and counting) in operation and under development. Solar energy provides the County with over 6 million dollars in budget savings, will offset over 157,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, and offers authentic STEM learning opportunities.
NOTE: Madison Energy Infrastructure acquired Sun Tribe Solar in April 2024. The team remains dedicated to continuing - and growing - the reach and impact of Solar Empowered Schools.
