Let us know that you want to join our School Projects Program. Someone from AEP, the Foundation, or EMC will come out and talk to your school or the School Board or wherever we need to go to explain the next steps. We can bring handouts and information sheets and answer questions. Ask a local bank to handle contributions from students, parents and businesses. It seems to work better if the bank is located in your town.
People seem to worry about funds being mailed out of town.
Ask the bank for a small donation to open the account. It will help if your Superintendent of Schools sends home a letter with all students in your school district explaining the project and how everyone will be able to learn about energy and how solar electricity is made. The Superintendent or someone from the school board needs to write the letter and ask the parents for a donation or a pledge. Because your school will actually buy the project, businesses might be willing to give a lot more, since they might be able to get a tax deduction. A pledge drive might work even better.