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Wind For Schools

The Wind for Schools program, supported by the National Renewable Energy Center Laboratory, aims to help rural school districts install wind turbines for use in education, and to encourage incorporation of renewable energy education into the K-12 science curriculum.  Our goal is to install five turbines per year at rural schools throughout Kansas, and to provide assistance to schools in educating their students about renewable energy, especially wind power.

Five schools installed Southwest Windpower Skystream turbines in 2007-8.  We are currently installing Skystream turbines at the 2008-9 schools.   Proposals for the 2009-10 academic year were received in April 2009 and five schools have been selected for this round; installations should begin this Fall.

New (August 2009)

The Kansas Energy Office (KEO) hopes to be able to offer grants to public entities, including schools, to fund up to 25% of the total project cost, up to $250,000, for installation of renewable electricity generation, including solar, wind, hydro or biomass.  As this grant would exceed the assistance the WAC normally provides WfS schools, the WAC proposes to provide assistance to schools preparing applications for this grant as its Wind-for-Schools program for the duration of the KEO program.  Please note: the KEO has not received final approval from the US Department of Energy for this use of ARRA ("Federal Stimulus") funds.  Watch this space and the KEO ARRA website for updates.  The hope is to begin accepting applications in October.