The 25th National Solar Tour is underway this week (Sept. 28 – Oct. 4), celebrating the vital role that individuals and organizations with solar play in creating a brighter future for everyone. For the rest of this week, hundreds of people across the nation will show off their solar homes, schools, businesses, municipal buildings, and more on the Tour’s interactive map. There’s also a week’s worth of virtual events covering everything from solar homeownership to energy and equity. 

We’re particularly excited about the growing role K-12 schools are playing in advancing solar energy. Solar on schools has now become a win-win solution for students, schools, and communities that’s being rapidly deployed in communities all over the country: over the last five years, U.S. K-12 schools more than doubled their total amount of installed solar.

To celebrate this week’s National Solar Tour, we’re spotlighting three schools that are hosting “virtual open houses” as part of the tour. Check out their videos and then head to the Tour’s website to get in on the rest of this week’s virtual experience, including three virtual sessions on Thursday (10/1) covering solar for schools.

Forest Edge Elementary (WI)

This newly built elementary school in Fitchburg, WI will be the state’s first net-zero school, offsetting 100% of onsite energy needs. Welcome to the future of school buildings…

Santa Fe Public Schools (NM)

After looking at the district’s utility bills, SFPS realized they could save $350,000 a year by going solar. They’ve also integrated solar into the classroom, observing real-time data and learning about one of the key technologies—and industries—of the future.

Hopewell-Loudon Schools (OH)

Another success story featuring—you guessed it—solar saving a district a bunch of money. This virtual tour gives an interesting look into the interactive solar monitoring that’s providing hands-on STEM learning and takes you up on the roof to look at the rooftop system.

If that doesn’t get you excited for a future (and an education system) powered by clean, renewable energy, we’re not sure what will. Head over to the National Solar Tour’s website and check out the hundreds of virtual open houses and the full schedule of virtual events. 

Ready for a bright spot in an otherwise dreary news cycle? Across the U.S., more than 7,300 K-12 schools now rely on clean solar energy to power their operations. That’s up 81 percent from just five years ago, and represents 5.5 percent of all elementary and secondary schools in the country, according to the latest edition of Generation180’s Brighter Future: A Study on Solar in U.S. Schools, released this week. Despite this promising growth, however, so many more schools could benefit both financially and educationally from harnessing the power of the sun.

Importantly, going solar isn’t just for well-endowed communities or school districts. As districts struggle to adapt to a nationwide budget crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, K-12 schools of all types are shoring up their finances with a switch to solar power, which usually involves minimal to no upfront capital costs. According to the report, 79 percent of the solar installed on schools was financed by a third party—such as a solar developer—who funds, builds, owns, and maintains the system. This allows schools and districts, regardless of their budget size, to purchase solar energy and receive immediate energy cost savings. Power purchase agreements, or PPAs, are a popular third-party arrangement currently available in 28 states and the District of Columbia.

Going solar is a long-term win-win, not a money sink. Energy costs are the second largest expense for U.S. schools after personnel, and school districts can save significantly on these costs over time. For example, Tucson Unified School District in Arizona expects to save $43 million over 20 years, and in Arkansas, the Batesville School District used energy savings to become the highest-paying school district in the county, with teachers receiving up to $9,000 per year in raises.

Schools are also capitalizing on solar projects to reap educational benefits, including providing students with hands-on STEM learning opportunities (as in Michigan), job training, and internships for solar careers. In addition, schools with solar and battery storage can serve as emergency shelters and provide backup power during grid outages, which not only prevents classroom disruptions but also serves as a vital resource for communities. “At a time when the global pandemic and climate change bring emergency preparedness into sharp focus, schools with solar and storage can become centers of community resilience that provide vital support during natural disasters,” said Andrea Luecke, president and executive director at The Solar Foundation.

California is the nation’s solar school leader—home to a third of all sun-powered schools and to 45% of the installed solar capacity—followed by New Jersey, Arizona, and Massachusetts. But the three fastest growing states for installed solar capacity on schools are Indiana, Virginia (see examples here and here), and Illinois, suggesting that the Midwest is increasingly benefiting from the clean energy revolution. Only one US state, South Dakota, has no solar schools. In some states, solar schools account for a large share of the total, representing nearly a third (29 percent) of all schools in Hawaii, nearly a quarter (23 percent) in the District of Columbia and a fifth (20 percent) in Nevada.

Even though millions of kids aren’t physically entering classrooms this fall, the number of students who attend a solar school has risen to a whopping 5.3 million, nearly double the number in 2014, when the first edition of Brighter Future came out. But with a total of 56.5 million K-12 students nationwide, we still have a ways to go. For most public schools, the decision to go solar is made at the district level, pointing to the importance of involving key local champions, including superintendents, facilities managers, and school boards, as well as parents and students. Already, around 16% of K-12 school districts across the country (2,231 in total) have embraced solar, often inspired by community-led campaigns. (Check out Generation 180’s “How-to Guide” and other resources to get your district moving on solar schools.)

The federal government also needs to step up by including clean energy funding for schools in national  economic recovery and disaster relief plans. “As we think of ways we can rebuild better, helping schools make the switch to solar + storage can uplift our communities, drive our stalled economy, and insulate our schools from the effects of climate change,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of SEIA. “It’s rare to find a solution that can solve many challenges at once, and we hope Congress will recognize that solar can also play a vital role in our communities.”

Want to learn more about solar schools? Check out the Brighter Future report webpage, which includes an interactive map of solar schools across the nation, along with other resources to help school districts go solar.

Originally published in the 9/16/20 edition of our Flip the Script newsletter

This case study was originally published in the 3rd edition of Brighter Future: A Study on Solar in U.S. Schools (2020)

More than 47,000 students enjoy an up-close view of renewable energy at work at Tucson Unified School District (TUSD). The largest of its kind among K-12 school districts in Arizona, the project delivers solar energy to 80 schools and reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 38.7 million pounds per year. The district has been recognized as the top green power user among K-12 schools in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Green Power Partnership, and it received the Governor’s Award for Energy & Technology Innovation.

TUSD paid nothing upfront for the system, and it projects energy cost savings of up to $43 million over 20 years. The three-phase project was financed through third-party power purchase agreements (also known as solar services agreements) with Constellation. The district will purchase the clean energy produced by the solar panels for 20 years at a fixed rate below what the utility charges.

“Solar energy at TUSD is helping a whole generation of young people understand how to be conscious energy users,”

At TUSD, solar demonstrates for the school community the value of clean energy, at work and at play. The teachers use online monitoring data to create hands-on learning opportunities, and the students enjoy the much-needed shade provided by the solar canopies installed in the play areas.

Since the completion of the project, the district has deepened its commitment to reduce utility costs and increase energy, water, and waste efficiency. An Energy Performance Innovation Committee has been established that will help the district develop and implement short-term and long-term sustainability goals and prepare guidelines for all employees and students to reduce districtwide consumption of energy, water, and waste “Solar energy at TUSD is helping a whole generation of young people understand how to be conscious energy users,” said Mayor Jonathan Rothschild.

This case study was originally published in the 3rd edition of Brighter Future: A Study on Solar in U.S. Schools (2020)

In 2017, Dr. Michael Hester became the superintendent of the Batesville School District. At the time, the district was underfunded by $250,000. His district paid the lowest teacher salaries out of the five districts in Independence County, Arkansas, and he was losing great teachers because of the low pay. He knew he couldn’t serve his students well unless he could retain their best educators.

After an initial energy audit showed that the district was paying over $600,000 annually in utilities, he sought to cut energy and water costs to eliminate the budget deficit instead of shuttering schools or laying off teachers. The district partnered with energy services company Entegrity to install 759 kW of solar on two campuses along with upgrades in lighting, energy efficiency and water efficiency. Through an energy service performance contract (ESPC), Entegrity guarantees that the energy and operational savings will pay for the project costs each year and generate additional savings.

Currently the largest solar installation in any school district in Arkansas, Batesville’s 1,483 solar panels generate about half of the district’s electricity needs and provide a savings of nearly $100,000 per year.

The teachers were also asked to contribute to the savings by conserving energy in the buildings. In exchange, they’d get pay raises. Hester told his staff, “We have to go into footprint reduction and efficiency mode. If you do this with us, we will get you the money back with raises that will attract and retain staff.”

Teachers were also trained on how to incorporate solar technology into the curriculum as part of students’ STEM learning.

The district has reduced its energy consumption by 1.6 million kWh per year and expects a net savings of over $4 million over 20 years from the solar energy generation, energy conservation and water efficiency upgrades. A portion of the energy savings is going back to the teachers as pay raises averaging $2,000 to $3,000 per year and up to $9,000 per year for some long-time employees.

Thanks to this project and other strategic cost reductions, the district went from a $250,000 budget deficit to a $1.8 million surplus within three years. Now the district ranks first in teacher pay out of the five districts in the county. According to Dr. Hester, “Putting money into staff is the best way to put students first.”

A portion of the energy savings is going back to the teachers as pay raises averaging $2,000 to $3,000 per year and up to $9,000 per year for some long-time employees.

According to the superintendent, the most surprising part about the project was the positive response from the community, which is situated in the backyard of the largest coal-fired power plant in the state. Community members drive up to the school to see the long solar canopy that frames the front of the high school now. They are happy to see that the school district has been a good steward of their tax dollars.

The neighboring school districts have also taken notice. Entegrity reports that there are 20 school districts surrounding Batesville that are interested in going solar and achieving the same savings and added benefits.

Staying true to the spirit of his district’s mascot, the Pioneers, Superintendent Hester is continuing to explore new frontiers with clean energy. He already is planning his next solar project and aims to be the first net zero energy school district in the state.

Thanks to newly passed legislation that expanded the solar energy system size allowed per customer and enabled third-party ownership, Batesville School District plans to sign a solar service agreement with Entegrity to add 757 kW of solar at an offsite location with no upfront or ongoing maintenance costs.

“Our goal is to be net zero on utilities, which would mean paying nothing for utilities. Those savings can go to salaries and staff,” said Hester.

This case study was originally published in the 3rd edition of Brighter Future: A Study on Solar in U.S. Schools (2020)

New York City aims to be carbon neutral by 2050. As part of this ambitious plan, buildings operated by the City of New York will house 100 MW of solar by 2025 — that’s enough clean electricity to power about 15,000 homes annually. With nearly 1,400 facilities spread across the five boroughs, the New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) public schools will host the largest share of these solar installations.

NYC DOE, the largest school system in the nation, promptly recognized the unique opportunity presented by the city’s solar commitment to help prepare its 1.1 million students for a future powered by clean energy. With more than 250 solar installations either completed or underway at public schools, NYC DOE and its partners leveraged these projects to provide STEM learning and vocational training opportunities to students.

In 2016, the NYC DOE Office of Sustainability partnered with Solar One, a nonprofit energy and sustainability education organization, to design and deliver the NYC Solar Schools Education Program. Through this program, Solar One trains NYC DOE teachers on how to deliver self-guided, inquiry-based learning that builds STEM, engineering and problem-solving skills in alignment with established standards.

Over 1,000 K-12 teachers have participated in the program to-date and have been given lessons on solar energy, energy efficiency and energy storage; kits with motors, lights, multimeters and solar panels for class activities; a toolbox of activities broken down for different age groups; and continuing education credits to help maintain professional certifications.

Teachers also learn how to use solar energy production data in classroom lessons focused on data analysis and weather patterns. These lessons and all of the NYC Solar Schools Education Program activities provide a critical platform for learning about climate change and renewable energy that tie to many topics in the existing curriculum. As one teacher explained, “Our school is moving our curricula towards project-based learning, and this is perfect for incorporating interdisciplinary learning and activities around topics like sustainability, renewable resources and climate change.”

“Solar jobs are the future. There are so many problems with the environment and global warming that will affect our future. We need to make the earth better.”

The program also features technical training for students at NYC DOE Career and Technical Education (CTE) high schools. Students at 13 CTE high schools receive hands-on, skill building training in solar installation and attend a Solar Career Expo where they engage directly with solar industry professionals. The Expo gives students a sense of the diversity of roles available in the industry and an opportunity to make job connections. To-date, almost 1,000 CTE students have received technical solar training and exposure to career opportunities in this high demand field.

Coming full circle with the program, the NYC DOE and Solar One organize student internships with solar companies that are installing solar on public schools. For these students, the school system where they learned about solar also becomes the place they work on their first solar installations as paid interns. Students garner the educational and financial benefits of the program while having an opportunity to bring solar energy to more NYC schools.

As Lucia, a student at Queens Technical High School in NYC, put it, “Solar jobs are the future. There are so many problems with the environment and global warming that will affect our future. We need to make the earth better.”

The NYC DOE Office of Sustainability and its partners have heard the call to action voiced by students and believe that connecting clean energy investments to classroom learning will inform and empower the next generation of environmental stewards.