March 15, 2008 – The Virgin Islands Energy Office is sponsoring the Junior Solar Sprint in alternative energy use. Twenty-five schools are expected to participate in this year's competition. Students in seventh and eighth grade in schools on throughout the territory have been working on building solar powered cars for weeks, according to a press release from the Energy Office, a division of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
The division has delivered three kits to each interested school. The students will build cars from the kits in preparation for race day on April 4 at Sunny Isles. The only limiting factor on their creativity is that the car be strictly powered using the solar panel. About 160 students will be participating.
For information about the race and general energy issues in the Virgin Islands, go to www.vienergy.org
This will be the 29th year the Virgin Islands Energy Office has observed V. I. Energy Education Week. To mark the week, March 16 through 22, the staff will be going into schools and talking to students about energy efficiency and alternative energy.
For three decades, the Energy Office has been promoting products and techniques the average person can use to conserve energy. It also encourages consumers of electricity to explore the use of energy alternatives like solar and wind power.
To get a speaker at your group or for your students, call 773-1082, ext. 2239.
The Energy Office, which was established 34 years ago, is poised to officially move into the Office of the Governor on April 22.
