Teens Find Promise in a Solar Future

Teens find promise in a solar future

Fifty at-risk teens find promise in a solar future in Las Vegas this summer.  The youths, participating in a six-week course, recently toured a solar panel array as part of the Green Academy of Training and Technology.  Showing, rather than just teaching the teens about the future of solar power, and potentially setting them on the path to green jobs, the tour involved elevating the students in a scissor lift to check out the panels installed at TWC Construction.

The solar panels provide nearly 100% of the power required by operations in the building.  Solar arrays on the roof and parking structures were installed in 2004, funded in part by a renewable energy credit agreement with NV Energy.

The Green Academy was designed by Building Hope Nevada, and funded by a federal stimulus package grant of $200,000.  After completing the program, the teens will each be paid $1,000 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Nevada, also helped organize the Green Academy, in accordance with the President’s goal of revitalizing the local economy through renewable energy investment.

Several Big Brothers/Big Sisters jobs were saved, and all 50 teens in the Green Academy have gained worthy employment for the 6-week program.

Teens find promise outside the classroom at the Green Academy

Quoted in a Las Vegas Sun article this week, the CEO of Building Hope Nevada, Angela Quinn talked about the benefits of getting the teens invested in a solar future:

“We’re getting these kids trained in an emerging economy.  We believe very strongly that this is where our economy is going.”

That, plus the money the teens will earn this summer, is a big boost for the students and their families. Lest you think they are merely getting a hand-out, they’re not.  The students are getting hands-on instruction about conservation and the environment.  They’re cleaning up litter, improving businesses’ recycling efforts and even installing solar power equipment on a retirement home.  In fact, the teens’ appear to have found promise in a solar future already!  They will be building solar-powered dog houses for use by local animal shelters, to help keep animals cool.

Congratulations to the teens in the Green Academy!  Its well-earned money, for a worthy cause, with a number of benefits to the community and affected families.

If you are inspired to help Building Hope Nevada, or to donate to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Nevada, click on the links, and they will be happy to take your tax-deductible contributions.