|
|
|
|
|
Solar Energy Project
Click here to follow our solar power and weather data.
Press Release:
YMCA Camp Thunderbird Soars with Environmental Education for Kids
Duke Energy was honored on September 22, 2009 at YMCA Camp Thunderbird for the company's support of environmental education for children and their gift of a new outdoor pavilion at the camp. Over 100 people attended the celebration which took place inside the new 10,500-square-foot Duke Energy Pavilion.
As part of a $1 million Duke Energy Foundation grant to the YMCA of Greater Charlotte made in 2006, the new award-winning structure is centrally located on the property and provides the ideal space for campers to engage in hands-on environmental learning.
In August, Duke Energy donated 16 solar panels to YMCA Camp Thunderbird to provide children an opportunity to learn about solar energy production and sustainable practices.
“Not only will the students who attend YMCA Camp Thunderbird benefit from this solar application, but students from other schools will be able to access data from these solar panels online,” said President of The Duke Energy Foundation Stick Williams. “Campers and students from other schools will be able to create innovative programs about solar energy production and sustainable practices. Duke Energy will be benefit by gaining valuable information for making decisions regarding solar investments.”
YMCA Camp Thunderbird has been operating its Environmental Education Center since 1986 and has since engaged more than 190,000 children in outdoor learning.
The solar project is a flagship example of Duke Energy's ongoing environmental partnership with YMCA Camp Thunderbird. Duke Energy employees have also devoted hundreds of volunteer hours to help design and construct hiking trails across the YMCA Camp Thunderbird campus.
“At Duke Energy, we recognize that we must work to ensure a sustainable energy future for today and tomorrow,” said Williams. “We are working hard to reduce our carbon footprint through greater reliance on energy efficiency and renewable energy such as solar power. Our involvement with this effort in many ways is an extension of this philosophy.”
Educators interested in learning more about solar renewable energy can take advantage of the live monitoring results available to the public.
Read the Charlotte Business Journal article about the new Duke Energy Pavilion at Camp Thunderbird!
|