Results

"Thanks to our new solar panels we reduced our carbon dioxide emissions by three tons last year" Mr. Fritz Bredfeldt announces. Since the project was realized by the Faldera High-School in Neumünster the solar panels have produced 3500 kWh and saved the school a considerable amount of money which they in turn were able to invest in the conservation of the school library.

Not only did the particpating students learn how to negotiate with officials, a great advantage for their future business life, they also learned about climate protection, the greenhouse effect and the physics of photovoltaic energy generation.The classes of 2006/7 are proud to have built something that will benefit future generations of students and preserve the environment.

Challenge

When the students first found out that their school was struggling to keep the library running they knew something had to be done. After some research they turned to the HNUI for help and together came up with the idea of a photovoltaic system to save money.

But when they first proposed their plans to the city officials they didn not get much support. Many of the students were disappointed.

Actions Taken

Inspite of these difficulties they came up with a new way of financing the solar panels. They raised the money through various activities like catering for school events or even staging a musical performance by the school theatre group.

Additionally there were initial teething troubles setting up the system - it didn´t work as planned. By applying what they have learned they knew exactly who to call in order to get the problem fixed quickly. "This project has really taught us to persevere and has shown us how much we can accomplish by working together," one of the students says. The whole project is now solely managed by students, of which they are very proud.