The 156 solar panels are installed as canopy curving around the entrance to the Great Lakes Science Center. It estimated 31 kilowatt capacity is equivalent to powering 4 American homes a year. But generating renewable energy is just one purpose of the installation. The museum's Executive Director Linda Abraham-Silver says she wants it and the Science Center's wind turbine to spark curiosity in children.
Linda Abraham-Silver: These children are going to be the future of where we go and what we do. Whether it's on the economic development forefront, or whether its on encouraging the use of these technologies in their homes or businesses.
Abraham-Silver says Solarworks, as its called, cost around $300,000 more to install in front of the Science Center than it would have cost for a roof installation. But she says the educational capacity of a visable exhibit is worth it. Lisa Ann Pinkerton, 90.3.