Porter County Career and Technical Center Holds Ribbon Cutting for Solar Energy Project

Solar-Panels-3Students and faculty at the Porter County Career and Technical Center (PCCTC) were very proud to conduct a ribbon cutting ceremony dedicated to their going green cause. David Kenning, chair of the Electronics and Computer Technology department, and Greg Carmack, the Modern Machinery Technology chair, organized students to utilize the materials needed to install the school’s new solar panel.

The Porter County Career and Technical Center is not the only one benefiting from this technology though. PCCTC’s sellable stored energy travels back to NIPSCO, creating added funding to the school. The students oversee the functions of these panels and conduct testing in various conditions to make sure they, and the fellow staff and alumni, are receiving the most efficient and reusable energy.

“We have built two structures; one is angled to face the sun,” Principal and Area Director of Career and Technical Education Jon Groth said. "We have also created a robot who tracks the sun which moves the panels.”

Solar-Panels-2Groth led the ceremony in a high spirited and proud manner as he introduced his honorable guests, team and scholars. A few companies and individuals were mentioned as a thank you: Northwest Wind and Solar (provided photovoltaic cells), NIPSCO, those teaching and learning at PCCTC, Joe Baker (volunteer), the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission and Valparaiso Community Schools were included in the list.

NIPSCO president Kathleen O’Leary was thrilled to see the minds behind this project firsthand.

“I’m just so impressed by their eagerness to learn, how much they learn, and how many problems they have solved along the way,” she said. “I thought this was a great program; it made me very encouraged and I was serious when I wanted them to consider coming to NIPSCO. This is the kind of workforce we need for the future.”

O’Leary shared that a press release about the Green Power Program is set to launch in a couple of weeks. If you have an interest in renewable energy, then this would be a great way to learn about what it consists of and how it can help you and your community.

Solar-Panels-1Through two years of hard work and dedication, those at the Porter County Career and Technical Center have made solar energy a success. Leary’s heartwarming comment brought this event to a marvelous close.

“It was Jon Groth’s vision that got all of this started and you need somebody who can think big like this to get it going,” she said. “He has been doing this for a long time and I’m looking forward to seeing what is next on his list.”

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