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MEC Opens Sunwatts Education Grant APPLICATIONS

Mohave Elementary School Awarded Grant Check
From left to right: Mohave Electric Cooperative Board Director Rich Tempelman, Educator Samantha Penfold, and MEC Energy Management Specialist, Courtney Nixon.
PHOTO BY CHRISTINE OWENS/MEC

BULLHEAD CITY, AZ – Mohave Electric Cooperative (MEC) is proud to announce our continued support for renewable energy education through our SunWatts Education Grant program. This year, grants are up to $10,000. The grant(s) fund local educators’ innovative ideas to assist local youth in learning sustainability concepts. The program is part of MEC’s commitment to our community and is funded through the ACC-approved Renewable Energy Standard Tariff (REST) program.

There is no formal application. Submit a short, written description of the lesson plan that teaches about renewable energy and include materials and a budget breakdown to Mohave Electric Cooperative, Attention: Courtney Nixon, P.O. Box 22530, Bullhead City, AZ 86439 or email mecpa@mohaveelectric.com. Application deadline is August 31, 2025.

“Mohave Electric is proud to support our schools and teachers in their goal to educate our young members about renewable energy and the effective use of energy resources. I encourage all of our Mohave member educators to apply for this grant,” said Courtney Nixon, MEC Energy Management Specialist.

First graders learn to use solar energy
Caption: First grade students learn about renewable energy by building solar ovens.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF SAMANTHA PENFOLD/FORT MOJAVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Last year, Samantha Penfold of Fort Mojave Elementary School, was one of the two award recipients. Penfold expressed, “The grant will assist first grade students by allowing them to learn about renewable energy, specifically solar energy, by building simple solar ovens and cooking a s’more treat. This hands-on activity will teach students the basic principles of how solar energy can be harnessed and its importance as a renewable resource. Thanks again for supporting local classrooms.”

This annual grant is in addition to the thousands of dollars provided for other MEC educational programs including Mohave Community College (MCC) student scholarships, MEC’s Classroom Grants, Washington Youth Tour, Making Accidents Disappear elementary school magic show, MEC Scholarship, and the partnership with Western Governor’s University (WGU). Education, Training, and Information is one of the seven Cooperative Principles upheld by MEC to support education.

Baking Using Renewable Energy
PHOTO COURTESY OF SAMANTHA PENFOLD/FORT MOJAVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Founded in 1946, Mohave Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit utility providing reliable, cost-effective power to 38,028 members, 45,044 meters, with more than 1,577 miles of line spanning areas from Bullhead City to Topock on the west, Hualapai to Burro Creek to the south, and Nelson to the east. MEC is an equal opportunity provider and employer.