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Crockett High SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ students studying solar energy along with representatives from SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Energy and the SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Independent SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ District cut the ribbon to the first of 15 interactive, outdoor Solar Learning Centers due for completion this year. Each learning center will be equipped with a fully functional solar array, seating for up to 30 students and three solar panels that can be rotated for interactive lessons on solar energy. Each center produces enough electricity to power a small, one-bedroom apartment.

Students in the three-year Crockett Construction Technology program are earning up to 28 college credits by studying several of the trades such as electrical, carpentry, plumbing and solar energy. The students will use this experience to install solar panels to supply clean, renewable energy from the sun to some of Crockett’s buildings.

The outdoor learning centers and curriculum development are made possible through a $450,000 grant awarded to SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Energy from the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar America Cities program. The program involves partnerships with 25 large U.S. cities with the goal of developing comprehensive, city-wide approaches to increasing solar energy use. SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ was named one of the Solar America Cities in 2008.

SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½s to receive solar learning centers besides Crockett include Akins High SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½, Ann Richards SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ for Young Women Leaders, Bowie High SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½, Burnet Middle SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½, Covington Middle SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½, Eastside Memorial High SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½, Lamar Middle SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½, McCallum High SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½, Mendez Middle SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½, Paredes Middle SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½, Pearce Middle SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½, Pleasant Hill Elementary/LHRC Annex, Reagan High SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ and Travis High SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½.