Bethke Elementary solar system to be dedicated on Earth Day

TIMNATH – The first Three Green Globes school in the nation will host a
ribbon cutting for its solar system next week on Earth Day, April 22.

Bethke Elementary in Timnath, which opened in 2008, is the first school
to receive the LEED Gold for Schools certification in the United States.
In 2009, the school scored 99 out of 100 to earn Energy Star status and
now boasts a solar electric system installed by Louisville’s Bella
Energy. The system will provide 11 percent of the school’s electric
needs.

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“The new solar collection system at Bethke Elementary is a
groundbreaking event for Poudre School District,´ said Jerry Wilson, PSD
superintendent of schools. “We are excited about the possibilities this
system offers, from energy savings for the district to providing a
learning tool for our students.”

Bethke was the first school to take part in local nonprofit Trees, Water
& People’s Renewables on Schools program. The rest of the solar
system’s funding came through energy efficiency and solar reward rebates
from Xcel Energy. The system includes 90 panels.