GCPS school gets solar panels to explore renewable energy

     Students at Baggett Elementary School will soon have a front-row seat to the power of renewable energy, thanks to a new solar panel system installed on campus. The project is part of Baggett Elementary’s broader effort to integrate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) into its curriculum.

     The school has partnered with Better Tomorrow Solar and Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful to bring the initiative to life. Baggett Elementary School Principal Mitch Green is excited about the impact the system will have on students. “Although the system will reduce electricity costs by offsetting the school’s reliance on the power grid, the primary focus is education. This hands-on approach will allow students to learn about renewable energy in a way that connects directly to their science and technology lessons,” Green shares.

     Using a specially designed application, students will analyze how the panels generate power based on variables like sunlight during the day and night, weather patterns, and seasonal changes. The solar panel installation aligns with the school’s mission to prepare students for a rapidly evolving world by incorporating sustainability and technology into everyday learning.

     Gwinnett County Public Schools K-5 Science Director Kristin Luthi says the project reflects a growing trend in education to use renewable energy as both a cost-saving measure and a teaching tool. “This project exemplifies the innovative and forward-thinking approach we strive for in our schools,” Luthi shares. “By integrating renewable energy systems like these into the classroom, we’re giving students a unique opportunity to connect scientific concepts with real-world applications. It’s exciting to see how this initiative will inspire curiosity and deepen their understanding of sustainability and STEAM principles."