Drive Cleaner and Drive Greener
Our first project, for the The Walker School of Needham, Massachusetts, is now complete! This is a solar-powered garden shed; a 160 watt, 12 volt off-the-grid demonstration system, with battery power storage. The system features motion-sensor-activated lights, which turn on when anyone passes by on the adjacent sidewalk, after dark. It also has normal 120V convenience power which can provide power for any moderate-sized plug-in device, like an electric drill or a boom-box.
A kind neighbor loaned his utility trailer This photo shows the shed installed at the Walker
and helped us move the finished shed School; taken from the North, looking south.
to the School, early on a Sat. morning.
View from the southeast; the motion sensor View from the southwest; the convenience power
lights up the exterior and interior of the shed is at the bottom left corner.
when people walk past on the main sidewalk.
The solar panels are positioned in winter-season orientation, when the sun is low in the sky. At the spring equinox, we will return to the school and tip the panels back at the top, and up at the bottom. This will orient the tilt to best collect sun during the summer months, when the sun is higher in the sky. The students will participate, and learn about solar energy in the process of helping to re-orient the panels.
Shortly after these photos were taken, explanatory signs were installed. The signs explain the science of solar energy production. The viewing windows allow students to see the internal equipment, without having to open up the shed.
One Penny Per Mile constructed the shed and did the preliminary solar system design engineering. A professional engineer and sales associate at The Alternative Energy Store, in Hudson, MA, completed the code-compliant electrical engineering design, and provided valuable guidance on the various components to purchase. The electrical wiring and completion of the system, was done by Mister Sparky, Inc., electricians located in Needham, MA; they did a great job and donated a portion of their labor to the project. All electrical work was done under a permit issued by the local Needham Building Department, and was periodically inspected, and was approved and signed-off at the end.
Here are photos of the shed taken when we entered it in the local 4th of July parade:
Previous progress photos: 
Walker is wonderful institution where dedicated staff and volunteers serve the needs of children from all walks of life. We are thrilled that they are our first client!
Please DONATE to help support maintenance on this project, and to help us get started on our next project!
Future Projects:
Renewable-resource-powered, 'green', and sustainable energy production systems, will be installed in public locations, free of charge, for non-profit organizations in communities where they can provide the most benefit. We plan to develop wind systems, and other renewable technologies, as well as solar.
Please read on, or visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s).