Small Students, Big Energy: N.J. Macpherson School's Solar Project Keeps Shining

Solar projects are some of the most innovative and long-lasting investments a school can make, and the grade 5 students at N.J. Macpherson School in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories are proving it. As our only elementary school grantee, this project was a special one from the start: students replaced diesel-powered generators with small solar panels and batteries to power the lights in their outdoor Indigenous Language and Education buildings, cutting both emissions and costs in the process.

The project engaged 361 students and 52 teachers across the school, with six students and teachers working directly on the design and installation. And the impact has lasted well beyond the original build. The solar battery banks have been reliably powering the outdoor learning spaces from mid-May through mid-September, when Yellowknife enjoys long stretches of sunlight.

Of course, life above the 60th parallel comes with its own challenges. During the darker months of October through April, when some days bring as little as an hour of sunlight, the school has gotten resourceful, recharging the solar power boxes inside the school and carrying the charge out to where it's needed. They're now exploring the idea of adding a wind turbine to generate power during those darker, windier months, and are looking into how to connect one to a special power bank to keep the lights running year-round.

"Just the fact that such young students are engaged and are advocates for a cleaner tomorrow, I think, is one of the best things that has happened because of this initiative." - Mr. Caines, Principal

Check out our Solar Power & Renewable Energy Resource Guide, and explore our solar lesson plan.

Want to learn more about N.J. Macpherson's journey? Check out their full solution story on our website: https://nowfornetzero.org/solution-story/nj-macpherson-school/