A Day at the Belair Solar Site with Questar BOCES Students
At CVE North America, our commitment to building a sustainable future goes beyond merely developing solar projects. We’re passionate about empowering the next generation with the knowledge, tools, and inspiration they need to advance the renewable energy movement. With this vision at heart, we were thrilled to host students from the local BOCES program, Questar III, and the Hudson Valley Stem High School for an enlightening day at our Belair solar project in Troy, NY.
BOCES, or the Board of Cooperative Educational Services, stands as a distinctive educational initiative in New York State. Founded in 1948, BOCES promotes shared educational services and programs across school districts. Catering to a vast majority of New York’s school districts, BOCES holds a pivotal role in expanding specialized educational offerings. This enables students to delve into various avenues of learning and prospective career paths. In New York, BOCES stands as a leader in cooperative education and Career Technical Education.
An Inspirational Day Under the Sun
The Belair solar project, which produces 6,137,000kwh annually, enough to power approximately 767 homes, with an environmental impact equivalent to avoiding 4,794 carbon tons and planting 7,191 trees.
On their visit, students got a firsthand look at these impressive workings of the community solar project. Eager to comprehend the intricacies of solar energy, its benefits, and the vast opportunities it presents, they delved deep into discussions.
Our Belair solar site became an open classroom for these young minds. As they walked through the arrays, they engaged in discussions about the science and engineering behind harnessing solar energy. But the highlight of the day was the interactive Q&A session, where students quizzed our team on various aspects of community solar, the broader solar industry, and potential career pathways within renewable energy.
Witnessing the students’ enthusiasm, curiosity, and drive was truly invigorating. Many of them expressed their intentions to pursue majors in clean energy management and engineering, showcasing a genuine commitment to creating a more sustainable world.
We were deeply moved by their passion and foresight. The future of renewable energy undoubtedly rests in the hands of these young visionaries, and it was our privilege to share our expertise, insights, and experiences with them.
Energy Leaders of Tomorrow
As the solar sector continues to evolve, so too does the need for informed, passionate, and innovative individuals to steer it towards new horizons. With initiatives like the Belair site visit, we are hopeful that we are planting the seeds for a brighter, greener, and more sustainable future.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the educators with Questar for their incredible dedication and to our EPC contractor at CS Energy for helping make this day a success. Stay tuned for more updates on our ongoing community and educational outreach efforts.