Students explore solar energy at Foxchase

Even a rainy day was a good day for Ephrata High School Honors Chemistry students to learn about solar energy. They visited the new Foxchase Golf Club solar farm in Stevens to experience science outside the classroom. The field trip tied in with the students’ study of present and new energy sources. Foxchase Owner Steve Graybill led the tour and talked with the students about the benefits, costs, and science of solar energy.

“Alternative energy is an important topic in today’s society,” said Ephrata High School Honors Chemistry teacher Dale Fillmore. “Visiting the Foxchase system gave my students an opportunity to see ‘science in action.’”

Foxchase is the only solar powered golf course in Pennsylvania. The system at the golf course covers an acre of land and is composed of 1,320 solar panels. Foxchase has been producing solar energy since August 2010. The system was installed by Advanced Solar Industries, LLC.