HURON — A partnership between Huron businessman Jim Schaeffer and the Lower Brule School System is providing hands-on training for students to assemble and install solar systems.

Schaeffer owns and operates Jasco Electrical Services in Huron, an electric, light and power untility contractor since 1965. He is also developing solar wind and other renewable energy systems.

“Our high school engaged the services of Jasco Electrical Services in Huron to assist in developing and implementing a solar installation training program for students,” said Lower Brule Superintendent Lance Witte. “Upon graduation from high school, they will be able to seek employment as solar system technicians.”

Schaeffer has been traveling to Lower Brule weekly to help teach the program on solar energy, which is “the way of the future,” he said.

The school contacted Schaeffer about partnering with his business to help teach a class on renewable energy, so as to provide students with solar energy capabilities required to install such systems.

“This is the first semester that it’s being done,” Schaeffer said. “When they graduate from high school, they’ll be ready to go to work for us or anybody with basics needed to install renewable energy-sourced solar systems.”

Witte said the course is for high school juniors and seniors and is part of their two-year industrial tech program.

“We’re going to do some construction, renovate a couple of houses,” Witte said. “Basically, remodeling of homes. One we’re focusing on is for elders."

“As our first pilot, we’re going to place it on one of the school buildings and purchase battery storage units to go with it so we can acquire energy security and stability. We want to see how this works for Lower Brule.”

Witte said the school received a Community Foundation grant to launch the program.

“The idea is to learn about renewable energy sources,” Witte said. “Jim has been coming regularly and it’s been a good joint venture having him. He’s been great. He’s very knowledgeable. We’re just trying to find out where this might lead us in the future — this is a great first step in the learning process of applying renewable energy lights power systems anywhere that the need may arise.”

The course will conclude in May, with the solar panel being installed on the school building.