In 2005, Georgia’s EMCs, together with Green Power EMC, developed the SPARK Energy Education Program^®, a multi-disciplinary program embracing energy production, conversion, and efficient use. Today, SPARK’s primary focus is solar energy. 

Now the largest solar education program in Georgia, SPARK provides participating schools with access to data from solar installations across the state and curriculum to study solar energy. To learn about how renewable energy systems perform, students apply analytic and research tools using data from these solar installations.

Southern Rivers Energy is helping educate future generations about the benefits and challenges surrounding renewables through the SPARK Program. SRE partnered with Lamar County Middle School in 2008 to install a 1 kilowatt (kW) grid-tied photovoltaic system behind the school and installed another solar panel and monitoring system at Pike County High School in Zebulon in 2013. This system harnesses energy from the sun and students can monitor its data from the classroom. 

The SPARK Energy Education Program includes learning modules for middle and high school students that can be incorporated into STEM programs. The curriculum is standards-based and is available to any school, teacher, or administrator in Southern Rivers Energy's service area. The SPARK Energy Education Program is being reviewed and updated so it is currently unavailable in 2024. Green Power EMC looks forward to rolling out the revised program in 2025. Contact Energy Services Specialist, Clint Boyt for more information at clint@srivers.net or 770-358-1383 ext. 349.