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Aiken Electric Cooperative wins national award 

(Aiken) - Being green has its privileges.  Aiken Electric Cooperative has won a national award for its Green Power Solar Schools project at New Ellenton Middle School in New Ellenton, S.C.

Aiken Electric Cooperative is one of three co-ops in the nation to receive the National Community Service Award for its efforts to enhance the economic and social environment of the community.  The award, given by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), will be presented in February at the NRECA Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California.

Awards are presented in three categories: Community Investment, Energy Efficiency and Youth Programs.  Aiken Electric Cooperative won in the youth program category.  The award “honors the significant contributions of rural electric systems to local, state, and national youth programs. Programs in this category help youth understand the cooperative business model, the importance of civic responsibility and political or community involvement.”

The Green Power Solar Schools project is a partnership between the electric cooperatives in South Carolina and Santee Cooper, the state-owned utility.

In August of 2007, Aiken Electric and Santee Cooper officially dedicated a 2-kilowatt solar panel at New Ellenton Middle School.  An Internet-based monitoring system provides real-time access to information regarding the solar panel's performance.  Students at New Ellenton can compare the energy generated by their solar panel to that of similarly equipped schools in South Carolina and the nation. The program is designed to encourage interest in the environment and demonstrate the feasibility as well as limitations of renewable power generation.