Summer campers to erect solar panels

Jume 21, 2009 from The Herald-Sun

Chapel Hill, NC

CARRBORO, NC — Summer camp students will team with town government and a local business to erect renewable energy solar panels at the Town Commons.

The town of Carrboro received funding from Duke Energy Carolinas for the project, which is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 29 at 301 West Main Street in Carrboro.

Communities In Schools of Orange County's “Green Awakening (TGA) Math and Science” summer camp will participate in the solar panel project. Communities in Schools is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization addressing the multiple needs of youths to prevent educational, social and economic failure.

Randee Haven-O'Donnell, a member of the Carrboro Board of Aldermen, has been the liaison between schools, government and businesses in the promotion of “green” projects and such school endeavors.

The town of Carrboro also invited Strata Solar / Solar Tech South of Chapel Hill, whose business focuses on energy sources that are renewable and non-emitting. Solar Tech professionals will work alongside and teach TGA students during the two-hour project.

According to Sheila D. Sholes Ross, executive director of Communities In Schools of Orange County, there are discussions focusing on creating “green” apprentice training programs with area businesses. Community leaders, local businesses and government, area colleges and universities are all “mapping out” strategies to implement and sustain green training and jobs, she said. Watch the NBC news video.