Pocono News Section

Solar energy shines on Penn State

Solar energy shines on Penn State - Monday, August 3, 2009 at 5:39PM EST

Monday, Aug 3, 2009 @ 05:39pm EST

A new project at Penn State Hazleton is making the campus more energy efficient.

Students are sawing through this hands-on workshop at Penn State Hazleton.

Instructor Bill Hennessy of the Mid-Atlantic renewable energy

Hennessy said, "It's a great start in reducing our carbon footprint and reduce how much we contribute to global warming. It's renewable, it's clean."

Hennessy is talking about a solar array that is being built here.

The one week courses focuses on solar energy.

Diane Motel of Jim Thorpe is taking part.

She plans to open her own business installing renewable energy sources like this.

Motel said, "With all the state and federal incentives right now people have even more reason to become more energy efficient and so I'd sure like to be a part of that."

Once this solar array is finished it will stand as high as a nearby wind turbine.

It will provide electricity for a campus building that houses two classrooms.

The Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association says the savings will add up.

Estimated annual savings for the array will equal about 450 dollars.

Class instructors say it will last about 30 years.