Governor's Office of Energy Management and Conservation Donates Photovoltaic System to Winners of Energy Contest; Penrose Middle School Wins Colorado Energy Science Center Contest.

DENVER -- This year's third annual statewide Colorado Energy Science Center (CESC) Home Energy Investigation Contest was won by Penrose Middle School. In all, nearly 250 students competed, representing 25 middle school and high school teams.

As contest winners, Penrose was awarded a photovoltaic system from the Governor's Office of Energy Management and Conservation (OEMC). OEMC donated the PV system as an award that would enable the winning school to help further educate its students, parents and community members about energy efficiency and renewable energy. Additionally, the homes that were investigated for the contest received energy audits and weatherization upgrades.

The PV system was installed over the summer and will provide power for the 2004-2005 school year at Penrose Middle School. A meter was donated by Aquila, the local utility, in order to demonstrate to the students, in real time, when and how much energy is generated from the PV system. The meter will be set up in the hallway for easy viewing by the students and those visiting the school. The donated PV system previously provided power to the Carriage House of the Governor's Mansion. However, a remodeling project on the building required the removal of the solar device. Given the opportunity to acquire the unit, OEMC decided the contest offered a unique opportunity to make it a donation to the winners.

"OEMC is a proud supporter of the CESC contest and all the students that participated in the contest. Everyone is a winner because of the energy-savings knowledge and awareness gained from this experience," said Rick Grice, OEMC director. "The PV system will serve as a constant reminder to all Penrose Middle School students and this community of how important energy, energy efficiency and renewables are to our quality of lives."

The contest required that the student teams study the utility bills from at least five local homes and rank the homes from least to most energy efficient. Each of the homes investigated received a free home energy audit, conducted by Energy Resource Center of the Pikes Peak Region, a regional weatherization agency. As a result, six of the seven homes received weatherization upgrades such as one new window, sealing measures, crawl space perimeter insulation and compact fluorescent lights. These energy upgrades were provided at no cost to the home owner.

This is the third year the OEMC has sponsored the Home Energy Investigation Contest. Other sponsors include Energy Outreach Colorado, Xcel Energy Foundation., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, CH2MHill, Accent Windows, Rocky Mountain Association of Energy Engineers, Built Green Colorado and the Scientific Cultural Facility District.

Penrose Middle School will host an unveiling of the PV system on September 21, at 10:30 a.m. Students, parents, media, and the public are invited to attend. Contact John Merriam 719-784-2501 for event information. For more information on CESC and contests, visit www.energyscience.org.

About Colorado Governor's Office of Energy Management and

Conservation (OEMC)

As the lead state agency on energy efficiency and conservation issues, OEMC serves the people and businesses of Colorado through demonstration and education of viable, real-world solutions to the need to reduce our reliance on foreign energy. OEMC serves as a statewide advocate of energy efficiency through its programs and partnerships that benefit Colorado's economic and natural environment. OEMC receives federal funding, including U.S. Department of Energy, but no Colorado state tax dollars to support its activities. Contact OEMC at www.state.co.us/oemc or call toll-free, 800-632-6662.

About the Colorado Energy Science Center

The Colorado Energy Science Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the understanding and appreciation of energy science and technology. Education is necessary to enable decision-makers to adopt energy practices that produce economic benefits, reduce environmental impacts and increase the sustainability of energy supply. Well-educated consumers will create a cleaner and more efficient energy future.