On Wednesday, July 29th, Beaver Falls Mayor Kenya Johns will join Neighborhood North Museum of Play (NNMOP) to flip the switch on their new interactive solar demonstration system, which was facilitated through the Rural Innovation through Solar Empowerment (RISE) partnership between nonprofits RiverWise and the PA Solar Center to inspire Beaver-County entities to explore solar energy.
RISE was a two-year project awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energizing Rural Communities Prize. The project was funded by the Environmental Mitigation Community Fund and the system was designed and installed by AYA Instruments, a Pittsburgh-based company.
Neighborhood North’s solar installation is the first RISE project in Beaver County and will serve as an additional site for the Energy Discovery Zone, an immersive educational platform developed by AYA Instruments that transforms renewable energy systems into hands-on learning experiences.
The project includes a 2.43 kW ground-mounted solar array, a 190 Ah battery bank, a 15 kW AC inverter, solar exhibits, and a solar-powered Maxwell EV mobile classroom designed to offer a hands-on introduction to solar for the community. The Mobile Maker Lab will bring Neighborhood North’s signature hands-on STEAM experiences directly into communities, making innovative educational programming more accessible to children and families across the region. By integrating arts education with environmental science and renewable energy concepts, the Mobile Maker Lab will inspire curiosity about solar power, increase access to sustainability education, and empower young learners to imagine a cleaner, more innovative future.
The event is set to take place at Neighborhood North: Museum of Play, 716 14th Street, Beaver Falls, PA 15010 beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29th.
Solar energy is the fastest-growing energy in the country and is saving businesses, nonprofits, communities, and residents thousands of dollars in utility bills. Businesses that go solar are hedging against volatile electricity pricing because once the upfront equipment costs are paid, the cost of solar is free.
ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD NORTH MUSEUM OF PLAY
Neighborhood North Museum of Play is a nonprofit children’s museum based in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, that inspires curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning through the power of play. Serving children, families, educators, and communities across western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, and northern West Virginia, Neighborhood North integrates science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM) into engaging, hands-on learning experiences that foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
As a regional learning anchor, Neighborhood North extends its impact beyond the museum through school partnerships, field trips, community outreach, the Mobile Maker Lab, professional development for educators and teaching artists, and innovative programs that expand access to high-quality learning opportunities. By connecting the arts, education, and community, Neighborhood North is helping prepare the next generation of learners, innovators, and engaged citizens while strengthening the communities it serves. Learn more at www.neighborhoodnorth.org.
ABOUT RIVERWISE
RiverWise uses the power of storytelling and organizing to expand community power and voice so that residents of Beaver County can create thriving communities. Learn more at getriverwise.com.
ABOUT THE PENNSYLVANIA SOLAR CENTER
The PA Solar Center is a 501c3 nonprofit organization with the mission to expand the benefits of solar to all Pennsylvanians through full-spectrum solar consulting, which includes preliminary feasibility assessment, financial navigation, bid support, and communication strategy. The Center advises non-profit organizations, businesses, schools, faith communities, farms, and communities through their keystone GET Solar program, and also offers savvy media communications, resources, and programming to educate all solar stakeholders. In addition, the PA Solar Center advocates for robust solar policy and provides an online directory of qualified solar developers, a monthly solar webinar series, and a listing of solar events happening across the state. Learn more at www.pasolarcenter.org.
ABOUT AYA INSTRUMENTS
Since 1990, AYA Instruments has supplied precision electrical measurement and monitoring solutions to the conventional and renewable energy industries. Serving customers globally, AYA provides current transformers, metering transformers, signal conditioners, power monitoring solutions, and custom-engineered products that help utilities, manufacturers, renewable energy developers, and industrial facilities accurately measure and manage electrical systems.
Beyond delivering industry-leading instrumentation, AYA is committed to inspiring the next generation of engineers, electricians, technicians, and innovators through hands-on STEM education. By combining decades of energy expertise with interactive learning experiences, AYA helps make complex energy concepts accessible, engaging, and relevant for learners of all ages. Learn more at www.ayainstruments.com
ABOUT THE ENERGY DISCOVERY ZONE
The Energy Discovery Zone (EDZ) is an immersive educational initiative created by AYA Instruments that transforms renewable energy systems into interactive learning experiences. Through hands-on exhibits, educational games, mobile learning experiences, and real-world energy demonstrations, EDZ helps students, educators, and communities explore how electricity is generated, measured, stored, and used.
Designed to inspire curiosity while building STEAM and workforceforce development skills, the Energy Discovery Zone connects classroom learning with real-world careers in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, engineering, and the skilled trades. By making complex energy concepts engaging and accessible, EDZ is helping prepare the next generation of innovators who will power tomorrow’s energy future. Learn more at www.energydiscoveryzone.com
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