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The $10 million stimulus-funded project is sponsored by the Florida Solar Energy Center with the hope of creating jobs in the energy sector while firing up young children about renewable energy.

“Every single day that the sun is shining you are generating electricity,” said Susan Schleith, energy education coordinator for the center. “You are a little mini-power plant right there on that school.”

Nearly 100 schools across the state, including 15 in Central Florida, were awarded $90,000 systems that are capable of powering a home for a month.

Each comes with a battery backup that will power basic lights and small appliances during outages.

The systems also will be used year-round to save schools an estimated $1,200 a year in electricity costs. Schools are already thrilled with the educational prospects.

“I think that any time you can build in real-world application and background knowledge on something that’s truly relatable to the students, the lessons will go a lot farther,” said Melissa DeJarlais, principal of Fruitland Park Elementary in Leesburg. The school is one of three in Lake County to receive the system….

Supporters also believe the newest program has created several much-needed small-business and contractor jobs.

“It turned our company around because it got us some visibility and opportunity,” said Mike Vergona, vice-president of Vergona-Bowersox Electric. His small family business won a $7 million contract to install the systems and was able to hire contractors and four full-time employees.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/education/os-solar-schools-stimulus-20111103,0,5679993.story