Students at Bellevue’s Interlake High School will see first-hand that solar power is a viable means of alternative energy thanks to a $20,000 grant from Puget Sound Energy. The grant was presented to the Bellevue School District on Tuesday, July 8.

“Solar power is a great way for students to learn about science and the environment,” said Kimberly Harris, executive vice president and chief resource officer for PSE. “This grant will help the Bellevue School District bring clean, renewable energy technology right to the classroom.”

The solar power grant, offered through PSE’s Solar Schools Program, was awarded to the district following a request for proposal process completed earlier this year, and will help to fund a solar array for a new Interlake High School stadium concession stand. The array will use photovoltaic panels (which convert light directly into electricity) to generate approximately 4 kilowatts of electricity, with power still being produced even under cloudy skies.

The grant also funds a Web-based monitoring system with an interactive touch-screen kiosk to display real-time data about the amount of electricity generated by the school’s solar array, as well as software enabling students to assess system performance over time. The system is expected to be on-line in conjunction with the start of the school year in September.

Since 2004, PSE (working through the Bonneville Environmental Foundation and on its own) has funded the installation of seven solar systems at Puget Sound-area schools and institutions. A system at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery was dedicated on June 28, 2008.

A similar program is planned for early 2009, when PSE will take applications for up to five more solar demonstration projects at area schools.

For more information about the solar schools project visit www.PSE.com.