Solar-Electric Car Visits Local Schools

Solar Technologies takes its solar car to schools to participate in solar education courses.

Solar Technologies presented its solar electric car to hundreds of students in Santa Cruz County during Earth Week, beginning April 20. The event, designed to educate students on the concepts of solar powered electricity, was organized by Judy Wilkin and her “Star Child Science” program at http://www.starchildscience.org.

Clint Biddle, a representative of Solar Technologies and graduate of UCSC, took part in the solar education courses, explaining how to power an electric car without gasoline, using solar panels and batteries. 

“As a science teacher I feel very charged that we have been given a huge green light from the Obama administration to teach good science once again! I want the public to know that is really happening on campuses in the Santa Cruz schools,” said Wilkin.

Judy started each day of the event with a basic physics lesson on the science of atoms, electrons, and magnetic fields. Clint followed up by tying the lesson into the physics of how solar photovoltaic panels work to generate electricity and showed a real-world example of this concept with the solar-electric car.

The lesson included a question-and-answer session where the students could ask anything about solar energy or the operation of the solar-car. Clint continued by showing them what is under the hood, explaining the parts, and how they work together. The kids learned about renewable energy by seeing how far the car can travel on one charge, and how long it takes to re-charge the batteries.

The solar car event was hosted at five campuses during the course of the week with students ranging in age-levels from toddlers to high school. The participating schools were Montessori School, Winston Campus, Pacific Collegiate School, Natural Bridges High School/Green Career Center, and Mountain School.

About Solar Technologies

Solar Technologies is a Santa Cruz, CA-based solar power installer designing and building solar power systems for commercial and residential electric users for the past eleven years. Visit the website at www.solartechnologies.com or call 831-421-0440 for more information about installing a solar power system on your home or business. The Solar Technologies Showroom is located at 619 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, across the street from Shopper’s corner.