Recharged

RECHARGED THE FUTURE OF ENERGY

For the past two decades, York School has positioned itself as an educational leader in sustainable energy. In 2003, the 9,000-square-foot Science Building was completed, the first green building in Monterey County. It incorporates a solar energy system and 30 environmentally sustainable elements. In 2008, York was the first school designated a winner of the Green Business Award in the Monterey area. By 2010, with the additional installation of solar panels on the school’s Day Hall in 2007, the school was producing 50% of its own electricity.

Ten years later, we continue to provide environmental leadership with the installation of an innovative solar tracker at the entrance to the athletic complex and outdoor lab.

Jim Newman and Herb Aarons, parents of York alumni, joined with Solaflect, an award-winning company from Vermont, to donate and install the solar tracker on York’s campus in February 2020. With this investment, York strengthens its commitment to implementing eco-friendly projects that benefit the community and offers our students unique learning opportunities. With former head of school Chuck Harmon’s enthusiastic support, Jim, Herb, and Solaflect believed that the school’s record of energy conservation, educational reputation, and premier location made York an ideal home for this inventive solar device.

The solar tracker represents York’s long-standing aim to embrace state-of-the-art projects. Unlike solar panels you see affixed to a rooftop, a solar tracker moves with the sun from sunrise to sunset. As a result of being able to point directly at the sun throughout the day, a solar tracker captures 40% more energy than traditional solar panels. During the past year, the school has already gained significant savings from operating the solar tracker. Jim and Herb also anticipate our students utilizing the solar tracker in their Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math courses to better understand the advantages of clean energy. The possibilities to incorporate the solar tracker in the curriculum are numerous and will give our students another distinctive learning opportunity. Additionally, the school envisions creating a solar garden dotted with solar trackers owned by local community members.

Chuck Harmon’s support as well as Jim’s, Herb’s, and Solaflect’s foresight and generosity enables our school to further our investment in renewable energy. Above all, our students will develop their knowledge about solar power and build their skills in environmental advocacy.