Three industrial schools already have solar panels in Santa Cruz. The installation is part of a project that promotes the energy transition in Patagonia.
The initiative, funded with international support, aims to reduce electricity consumption, generate scientific data on solar radiation, and offer new pedagogical tools to students.
The program was implemented at Industrial School No. 4 in Pico Truncado and at Industrial Schools No. 1 and No. 10 in Caleta Olivia.
It was made possible thanks to the joint work of the Provincial Council of Education, the Provincial Institute of Science, Technology, and Innovation (CITEC), and the FEPA Foundation.
Education and renewable energy in Santa Cruz
The project, as reported, has three main axes:
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Energy transition: electricity production from solar energy, reducing dependence on the conventional grid.
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Knowledge production: measurement and systematization of data on solar radiation in the region, essential for scientific research in Patagonia.
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Pedagogical strengthening: integration of the installation process and data analysis into educational projects, bringing students closer to experiences of applied science and renewable energies.
“These types of actions not only represent energy savings, but also link technology with the technical training of students, enhancing their future job opportunities and their commitment to environmental care,” highlighted the president of the Provincial Council of Education.
From CITEC, it was emphasized that the records obtained in schools are of great value for the scientific development of the province. Furthermore, they form the basis for future projects of energy innovation in Santa Cruz.
Renewable energies in rural areas: the case of Chubut
The case can also be related to projects in Chubut. The Government, led by Governor Ignacio “Nacho” Torres, is intensifying its efforts in energy transition through the installation of renewable energy systems in several rural areas of the province.
Thus, the Undersecretariat of Renewable Energies, belonging to the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Energy, and Planning, is responsible for implementing sustainable technology, with a special focus on rural populations and educational spaces.
During November of last year, photovoltaic systems were inspected in student hostels in Chacay Oeste, Blancuntre, Cushamen, Fofo Cahuel, and Costa Del Lepá, as well as in educational camps in Piedra Parada and Lago Puelo.
Chubut’s push for renewables in rural areas.
Additionally, in the town of Aldea Epulef, seven home photovoltaic systems were installed, benefiting rural families without access to the Argentine Interconnection System (SADI).
The project, endorsed by the Federal Council of Electric Energy, aims to equip 30 households with renewable energy in the municipalities of Aldea Epulef and Colan Conhué.
Each system includes a 310-watt solar panel, a MPPT solar regulator, and a 12-volt battery. This LED lighting infrastructure with the capacity to power basic devices offers an affordable and sustainable solution for remote areas.
