On Friday August 23, The Mountain Institute held a Solar Day at its Spruce Knob Mountain Center to celebrate the solar panels that were installed at the Center in June.

 

The day began with a hands-on workshop by New Vision Renewable Energy in which participants assembled solar-powered LED lights that will be distributed to schools and orphanages in developing countries.  You can learn more about New Vision’s program here.

 

 

A formal inauguration ceremony was then held allowing guests an opportunity to explore the solar panels first-hand and learn about the history of the project.  The Mountain Institute staff members, Aaron Sutch and Kevin Stitzinger, explained the technical aspects of the system and summarized the new energy efficiency and renewable energy education curriculum that will be introduced to students visiting the Spruce Knob Mountain Center.

 

 

The Appalachian Stewardship Foundation was recognized for its commitment to sustainability and financial support of the project.  John Christenson spoke on behalf of the system’s installer, Mountain View Solar, emphasizing the importance of solar energy in West Virginia.  He also accepted a heartfelt thank you from The Mountain Institute for the company’s donation of an extra solar panel to the array.

 

The event ended with a tour of the Spruce Knob Mountain Center’s yurts and a delicious dinner prepared by the staff.  As the cloudy day wound down, the sun made a “better late than never” appearance punctuating the end of the event with a beautiful golden sunset that provided a last little bit of solar energy before nightfall.