The Florida Department of Community Affairs/Florida Energy Office has selected the District for award of a $50,000 grant for installation of a solar photovoltaic system at Middleton High School, under the Photovoltaic (PV) for Schools Program (Attachment A). The Board previously approved participation in the grant program on April 4, 2006 (approved agenda item at Attachment B). The program includes a partnership with Tampa Electric Company (TECO) for installation and operation of the photovoltaic system. TECO will also operate and maintain the system at their cost. The District will provide a suitable location for installation of the system, and connectivity of the system to the internet for accessing data from the equipment. The proposed agreement with TECO is provided for approval (Attachment C). The program components and agreement mirror those implemented for Walker Middle School in December 2003.

Through participation in this program, the District will receive 1) internet access to the performance data from the system for use in the science curriculum, 2) back-up power for Middleton High School (a designated shelter) in the event of a power outage, and 3) up to four spaces (including per diem) for faculty training by the Florida Solar Energy Center at a six hour workshop on the use of the information from the system and other available solar energy resources in the science curriculum.

Goal 3 - Student performance on FCAT science will increase a minimum of 5 percentage points.

Installation and operation of the system is provided at no cost to the District. Installation costs exceeding grant funds will be borne by TECO.