As Kermit the Frog once sang, “It’s not easy being green.” But with the green movement growing in popularity, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is working to show residents it really can be easy by participating in and promoting green practices.
Earlier this fall, the center opened a new hands-on exhibit titled “So Watt! An Illuminating Look at Energy” in the science center’s Mezzanine Gallery. The exhibit focuses on production of electricity, alternative sources of energy and basic conservation strategies people can try both at home and at work.
“The point of this exhibition is to get people now to start thinking and doing something about conservation of energy, looking at “¦ forward, alternative ways of weaning ourselves from burning so much carbon fuels,” said Dr. Jeffrey Kirsch, executive director of the science center.
The exhibit was made possible by grants from San Diego Gas & Electric and Shell Trading, with additional support from the Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundations.
According to Kirsch, the So WATT! exhibit began in April when the science center unveiled the installation of more than 10,000 square feet of solar panels on the roof of the science center.
According to Mike Niggli, chief operating officer for SDG&E, the solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the center’s roof generates more than 100 kilowatts of electricity at peak production “” enough to light 1,700 60-watt bulbs or power about 65 homes. He said the power generated feeds directly back into the region’s power grid.
“So, really, it benefits all of San Diego,” Niggli said.
The exhibit features five interactive exhibits, including “Watt’s on the Roof?” a touch-screen interface where visitors can monitor electricity being generated by the rooftop panels.
“Already [the rooftop system to date] has produced more than 100,000 kilowatt hours, which is enough to power more than 2,000 homes for a day,” Niggli said. “[We] saved about 56 tons of greenhouse gas already, which is interesting. This small exhibit is the equivalent of keeping 12 cars off the road for an entire year, so they’re doing their part here at the Fleet.”
These solar panels are demystified at the “Watt’s in the Sun?” exhibit, which explains how PV panels produce electricity from sunlight. It helps to explain how the angle of the panel in relation to the sun changes the efficiency and affects the amount of energy produced.
Visitors can generate their own electricity at the “Make a Watt” exhibit, which has visitors turn a wheel to see how much they have to work to produce varying wattages of electricity. They can also see the difference in energy needed for regular light bulbs compared to energy-efficient light bulbs.
At “Watt’s the Difference?” visitors learn more about the six most common ways electricity is produced ” fossil fuels, nuclear, hydroelectric, geothermal, wind and solar “” before finding out where most of California’s power comes from. They can then vote for the energy source they think should be used most for generating electricity over the next 20 years.
“Watt about Me?” is an interactive exhibit that demonstrates a variety of simple ways to conserve electricity at home and at work. A scale model of a typical house shows visitors how energy consumption levels change as they flip switches to implement conservation measures.
“This is a wonderful place to be educated,” District 3 City Councilwoman Toni Atkins said. “If we are to care about the future of our state, of our country and talk about issues like conservation “” whether it be water [or] energy “” it really starts in places like Balboa Park and the cultural institutions here and the Reuben H. Fleet Center and museum. I can’t think of a better partnership.”
Atkins said other buildings in Balboa Park, such as the Natural History Museum and Casa del Prado, have begun the process to install PV panels on their own roofs.
For more information about Shell Trading Gas and Power, visit www.coral-energy.com.
For more information on SDG&E’s tips for energy conservation, visit www.sdge.com/environmental/.
For more information on the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, 1875 El Prado in Balboa Park, and the So Watt! exhibit, call (619) 238-1233 or visit www.rhfleet.org.