Solar power is becoming a fundamental part of educational institutions across the nation. Schools are strategically deploying solar panels not only to curtail their energy costs but also to foster a culture of sustainability and enrich learning experiences. Over 7,332 K-12 institutions have already converted their schools into renewable energy powerhouses. This article delves into the transformative role of solar energy in schools, exploring its potent cost-saving potential, and shedding light on its far-reaching benefits for students and the wider community based on a study by Generation180 in partnership with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).
Solar energy for schools isn’t a new concept, but its potential has only been fully realized in recent years. The benefits of these solar initiatives are felt by approximately 5.3 million students nationwide, indicating a significant shift towards sustainable energy. But what exactly is solar energy for schools? It’s an innovative strategy to harness the power of the sun to supply a school’s energy needs. Solar energy for schools involves the installation of solar panels on school premises, either on rooftops, open land, or as canopy structures in parking lots. These solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, reducing the school’s reliance on traditional, non-renewable energy sources.
The benefits of solar energy for schools extend beyond cost savings. Firstly, solar power enhances educational opportunities, offering real-life examples for students to learn about renewable energy, sustainability, and climate change. Secondly, the financial savings from reduced energy bills can be redirected to improve curriculum offerings, hire additional staff, and fund extracurricular activities. Thirdly, a shift to solar energy improves the local environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. It’s worth noting the example of Palo Alto Unified School District, which installed a solar parking array that not only resulted in substantial cost savings but also contributed to the reduction of emissions.
Solar energy’s adoption in schools is proving to be an ingenious approach that goes beyond just power generation. It presents a compelling blend of educational, environmental, and economic benefits, illuminating the path to a sustainable future in a multitude of ways.
School districts often grapple with budget constraints, with energy costs being one of their most significant expenses. Adopting solar energy can dramatically reduce these costs and provide a more predictable energy expenditure over the long term. For instance, Pittsburg Unified School District, through the installation of over 13,000 solar panels, was able to plan a reduction of their electricity bills by up to 90%. Such savings can be repurposed to preserve teaching staff, invest in innovative academic programs, upgrade technology, or introduce new extracurricular programs. This strategic financial move is not just for high schools with large energy demands but can be beneficial for all educational facilities within a district.
Moreover, bundling solar power across multiple facilities simultaneously could result in even more substantial savings. Optimizing energy efficiency in existing buildings, implementing demand response strategies, and exploring electric bus fleets and EV charging for staff and students could enhance those savings further. It’s essential for schools to regularly conduct energy efficiency analyses, particularly when there are significant changes in site usage or building operations. By leveraging the lowest utility rates and shifting towards electric buses, schools can reduce fuel and maintenance expenses. Therefore, the transition to solar energy for schools isn’t merely an environmental choice, but a strategic cost-saving measure that directly benefits the quality of education provided
Schools form the backbone of any community. The implementation of solar energy in schools goes far beyond its financial benefits and educational impact. It also plays a substantial role in positively influencing the wider community. Here’s how:
Promoting Sustainable Practices: The installation of solar panels at schools serves as a visual reminder of the importance of sustainable energy choices. This educates not only students but also parents, staff, and community members about the potential of renewable energy, fostering a culture of sustainability.
Reducing Local Emissions: By transitioning from fossil fuels to solar power, schools contribute to a decrease in local greenhouse gas emissions. This shift improves local air quality, benefiting the health of everyone in the community. If all K-12 schools in the United States were powered entirely by the sun, it would eliminate carbon dioxide pollution equivalent to closing 18 coal-fired power plants, minimizing the 13 million school absences caused by childhood asthma in the US each year.
Stimulating the Local Economy: The design, installation, and maintenance of solar power systems can stimulate job creation in the local community. Jobs related to solar energy tend to be higher paying and contribute to the overall economic development of the area.
Encouraging Community Solar Initiatives: Schools that switch to solar power often inspire other local entities to do the same. This can lead to the creation of community solar projects that allow multiple stakeholders to benefit from a shared solar power system.
Providing Energy Resilience: In areas prone to power outages, schools equipped with solar energy and energy storage systems can function as community resilience centers. They can provide critical power during outages, serving as emergency shelters or hubs for disaster relief.
Supporting Equity and Accessibility: Some school districts use their solar installations to support community programs that enhance energy equity. For instance, excess solar power produced by the school could be channeled back to the grid to reduce energy costs for low-income households in the local community.
By adopting solar energy, schools can set a powerful example of environmental stewardship while also providing tangible benefits to their local communities. This not only improves community relations but also builds a stronger, more resilient, and sustainable future for everyone involved.
Schools shoulder the responsibility of molding young minds and preparing them for future challenges, and the role of solar energy in this context can’t be overstated.
Promoting Skill Development: With the shift towards renewable energy gaining momentum globally, knowledge of solar technology will be a key asset for the next generation. Schools equipped with solar infrastructure present a unique opportunity for students to acquire real-world scientific and engineering skills. Furthermore, they can get acquainted with one of the fastest-growing professions in the country – solar PV installer — equipping themselves for a future that’s increasingly leaning towards renewable energy sources.
Integrating Solar in Curriculum: Many schools are now leveraging solar technology to augment their teaching methods, employing solar panels and energy system data for project-based, cross-disciplinary, and practical lessons. By integrating energy-themed curricula and offering professional development for teachers, these institutions are making energy and climate change an integral part of classroom discussions.
Fostering Career Opportunities and Local Economy: The clean energy sector is experiencing a surge, and schools with solar installations are not only keeping pace but also contributing to this growth. For example, the New York City Department of Education is offering solar PV installation training and internships to students. This practical experience in installing solar panels on NYC DOE schools has multiple benefits. It creates more learning opportunities, prepares students for future job market needs, and contributes to local employment growth. According to recent data, solar employment increased by 44% in the last five years, a rate that’s five times faster than job growth in the overall U.S. economy. Schools, by adopting solar energy, are therefore supporting local employment and providing vocational training opportunities in a rapidly growing occupation.
Cultivating Awareness and Responsibility: With over 5 million students now attending a school with solar, the future is already getting brighter. These students gain exposure to the practical aspects of solar technology and its role in mitigating climate change, thereby fostering a sense of responsibility towards their environment.
While solar energy offers numerous benefits, there are a few challenges associated with its integration into schools.
Despite these challenges, the advantages of solar power often outweigh the disadvantages, especially when considering the long-term financial savings, educational opportunities, and environmental benefits.
While the question of financing solar power installations might seem daunting, the decreasing installation costs and flexible financing options make it feasible. Contrary to common misconceptions, funding solar projects in schools doesn’t necessarily require tapping into already tight budgets or capital improvement plans. Schools can leverage bond measures, solar incentives, Power Purchase Agreements (PPA), and direct ownership to finance their solar power installations. Today, the majority of schools finance their solar initiatives through third-party ownership, which circumvents the need for an upfront capital investment and ongoing maintenance costs.
Prevalence of Third-Party Financing Without Upfront Capital Costs: Most schools – 79% to be precise – opt for third-party ownership to finance their solar installations. A typical arrangement involves a power purchase agreement (PPA), where a solar developer finances, owns, and maintains the solar energy system for a predetermined period, often between 10 to 25 years. In this model, the school district pays for the energy produced by the solar system, usually at a lower rate than what they would pay a utility company for electricity. Consequently, schools realize immediate energy savings, which tend to grow over time as traditional utility electricity rates increase. Notably, third-party ownership is legally permitted in only 28 states (and Washington D.C.). These states account for 91% of the solar installations in schools across the nation. Therefore, the lack of access to third-party financing in the remaining 22 states hinders solar development, with these states accounting for just 9% of solar installations in schools.
Direct Ownership of Solar Systems by Schools: Despite the popularity of third-party financing, some schools (21% to be exact) opt for direct ownership, where they purchase, own, and maintain the solar energy systems. This model is broken down into two primary categories: 14% funded through cash, loans, or bonds, and 7% obtained through grants and donations.
Grant Funding and Donations: Grants and donations predominantly fund small demonstration and educational projects. Specifically, 88% of solar projects under 15 kW rely on this funding method. However, as the size of the solar energy system increases beyond 15 kW, third-party ownership becomes the primary funding mechanism, with its usage rising proportionally with the system size. For systems larger than 50 kW, direct ownership via cash, loans, and bonds comes second in terms of the most common funding source.
The use of solar power in schools varies significantly across the United States. Here are the top ten states in the U.S. leading the charge for solar energy in schools:
This list showcases the significant progress that some states have made in harnessing solar energy for educational purposes. These pioneering states serve as strong examples for others, demonstrating the potential for solar power to support sustainable education systems.
The solar energy adoption in schools has seen remarkable growth in certain states, which have managed to rise from the bottom half in 2014 to the top 10 in 2019. The three fastest-growing states for installed solar capacity in schools include:
Indiana: Known primarily for its farmland and famous auto race, Indiana has made strides in solar power utilization in its schools.
Virginia: Virginia, steeped in history and tradition, has embraced the future by rapidly expanding its solar capacity in schools.
Illinois: In addition to being one of the top ten states with solar schools, Illinois is also among the fastest-growing states in this regard.
However, some states are still lagging behind in the adoption of solar energy in schools. Notably, South Dakota is currently the only state in the U.S. with zero solar schools. Others with less than ideal numbers include Nebraska, Wyoming, Alaska, Alabama, Mississippi, North Dakota, and Oklahoma, each with five or fewer solar schools.
Certain states stand out not just for their installed solar capacity, but also for the proportion of their schools using solar energy. The top three states in this respect are:
Hawaii: An unsurprising leader in this category, given its abundant sunshine, Hawaii boasts that 29% of its schools are using solar energy.
District of Columbia: Despite its small geographical size, the District of Columbia has managed to equip 23% of its schools with solar power systems.
Nevada: Nevada rounds out the top three, with 20% of its schools using solar energy.
These data and trends underscore the potential for more widespread adoption of solar energy in U.S. schools. While some states have made impressive strides, there’s still a significant opportunity for others to make progress. With the clear benefits of solar power, the hope is that more states will join the ranks of those leading the way in solar education.
The proliferation of solar energy in schools is highly impacted by the policies of the state and local utilities. States that have a high degree of solar installations in the non-residential sector — encompassing commercial, industrial, government, and non-profit entities — typically also witness a significant number of solar-powered schools. These high figures are strongly associated with supportive government measures, advantageous utility solar policies, incentives, and the availability of third-party financing alternatives.
For instance, California and New Jersey have consistently maintained their positions as the leading states in terms of the number of solar schools and the overall installed solar capacity since 2014. Other states like New York and Massachusetts have also persistently ranked high for solar schools. These states have common features: robust clean energy mandates, solar incentives, and the accessibility of third-party financing options. Furthermore, they experience high electricity costs, implying larger savings on electric bills and a shorter payback time for those who own the systems.
On the other hand, states that persistently rank low in terms of solar schools typically grapple with obstacles posed by utilities, less favorable net metering policies, and limited financing choices. States like Alabama and Mississippi do not permit third-party ownership. Oklahoma, Nebraska, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota have some of the nation’s lowest electricity prices, which reduce the financial incentives of switching to solar. In fact, South Dakota has the dubious distinction of being the last-ranked state, as it currently has no solar schools. These states have consistently been at the bottom of solar school rankings over time.
Solar power presents an excellent opportunity for schools to optimize their costs, improve the learning experience for students, and contribute positively to their local communities and the environment. With flexible financing options, decreased installation costs, and the chance to foster environmental stewardship among students, it’s no surprise that more schools are turning to the sun for their energy needs. The future of education is bright, and it’s powered by the sun.
As of the recent study by Generation180 and SEIA, over 7,332 K-12 institutions in the U.S. have adopted solar energy.
Solar energy can significantly reduce a school’s energy costs, providing a more predictable expenditure over the long term. It can also optimize energy efficiency and reduce fuel and maintenance expenses.
Solar panels can serve as hands-on learning labs, allowing students to gain real-world science and engineering skills, and preparing them for a future reliant on clean energy.
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