NC Clean Energy Technology Center Helps Fund Mobile PV Training Lab for NC College
by Lyra Rakusin
Clean Energy Training Specialist
NC Clean Energy Technology Center
College of the Albemarle Hosts “Off-Grid Science” Exhibit at Port Discover
John Stolarczyck, the Sustainable Energy Coordinator and Instructor at the College of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City, NC, hosted an interactive PV exhibit with 40 students and adults at Port Discover, a hands-on children’s science museum.
Using small grant funding from the NC Clean Energy Technology Center (formerly the NC Solar Center) to help community colleges establish or enhance solar curriculum, the College of the Albemarle (COA) was able to equip the mobile PV training laboratory with tools to demonstrate solar power. Aside from using the mobile lab for classroom activities, the COA is able to take it on the road to showcase the power of the sun at several different events and locations.
The NC Clean Energy Technology Center is the Southern Mid-Atlantic Regional Training Provider of the Solar Instructor Training Network.
Under an overcast sky, Stolarczyck took the group outside the downtown waterfront farmers market to learn how to assess solar resource and get a close up view of the electrical system of the PV trailer.
“The highlight was the walk to the corner of Main Street and Water Street to see the mobile renewable energy lab,” said John about the exhibit. “I gave a demonstration of the solar pathfinder tool. Then everyone got a close up view of the electrical system. The moment of truth came when it was time to switch on a lamp from the power source. The light bulb came on and the group applauded.”
During the rest of the afternoon, locals who came to the farmers market came by to check out the PV trailer and get a glimpse of a solar powered Lord of the Rings show.
Photo credit: Michelle Donahue
