Solar Panels For Schools
How does it sound to give your school students a continuous supply of electrical energy even on blackout days? A feeling of satisfaction! You can get it by installing solar panels for school.
Since 2014, installing panels at schools has become very popular due to its unlimited advantages. There are almost 7,000 K12 schools in the US that use green energy. Due to the solar benefits for stakeholders from the government and the massive reduction in bills, the school community in the US is rapidly shifting towards renewable sources.
Besides bill reductions, solar panels are environmentally friendly and an excellent way to create awareness among students about green energy concepts.
This blog will be helpful if you are planning to install solar in schools. So, let’s start by exploring the benefits, costs, and savings of solar panels for schools.
How Do Schools or Universities Get Solar Panels?
There are four main basic steps to get solar installation for schools. These are given below.
1. Conduct A Research
The first and foremost step is conducting research and determining the schools’ requirements and the number of watts required to meet the school/university’s energy needs.
They also have insurance plans. So, in case of any injury on your site, they have liable insurance plans to cover the loss. Moreover, they also know about the nationwide solar incentives and rebates and your eligibility for various Federal and state incentives.
In short, always use the NABCEP-certified solar installers to get the maximum benefits and lower the initial cost.
2. Look For Funding
The next step is to look for funding because solar installation requires a lot of money. The good news is that many funding options are available for schools and universities. So, do your homework and find reliable options.
Moreover, BBB also awards certifications to installers who have good reviews. Although this certification is not equal to the NABCEP, it is still helpful to check the quality of work of installers and installation companies from their clients’ reviews.
3.Choose the Solar Installer
Once you get the funding, the next step is finding a reliable solar installer. Many companies offer this service. You can search online, get quotations from different companies, and choose the one that provides the highest-quality services at a reasonable price.
4. Solar Installation
The final step is installing solar panels and enjoying the benefit.
Solar System Options for Schools
Schools have a large surface area and install solar systems in various places. Let’s discuss these options in detail:
Rooftop Solar System
Schools can install solar systems on their roofs. As school roofs have a larger surface area, this is the best option.
Ground Mounted Solar Systems
As schools have large grounds, installing ground-mounted solar systems on the level surfaces of the grounds is also a good option.
Solar Canopies and Carports
Solar canopies and carports are also good options for using the unused open space of backyards, corydoras, and parking lots for solar installation.
Canopies are installed in the corridors, while carports are installed in the parking lots. They support the solar system and provide shade for vehicles.
Benefits of Solar Panels For Schools
Solar on schools is an ideal way to cut electrical costs and has long-term financial benefits. In addition to economic reasons, the solar system has many other school benefits. Let’s discuss them in detail.
Efficient Financial Planning
Solar panels for schools can significantly impact the school’s annual budget planning.
How?
School buildings usually consist of a large area and have many classrooms, labs, and high-voltage lab apparatus, so they spend a considerable amount of the annual budget on electricity.
By installing solar panels, they can reduce this cost or even eliminate it to zero with battery-integrated solar system installation. These savings help the schools to invest this budget in some other leading causes of the schools, such as educational seminars, informational tours, and workshops for the students.
Reinvestment for Extracurricular Activities
Many schools need more extracurricular activities due to a lack of budget. Saving a hefty amount by installing solar panels helps them reinvest this amount in extracurricular activities. They can focus on sports, arts and crafts, and many other activities.
Participation in these activities attracts students and their parents. Moreover, these activities show your enthusiasm for a balanced life for the students and raise your standard in the school community.
Manage High Utility Rates
Like residential places, schools are also affected by the high utility bills. Over the past few years, utility rates have drastically increased in the country, and there are chances to grow in the future.
By installing solar panels in schools, you can manage your utility bills. In fact, solar panel installation gives you freedom from worries of fluctuating electric bills, and you have a definite budget step up in your mind for the electric bills.
Energy Independence
Do you know that from 2002 to 2023, California and Florida faced many blackout days? What to do on such days for students at schools and universities because schools and universities are where a consistent supply of energy is necessary for the smooth flow of activities. Having solar panel installation with battery backup prevents you from such difficult days.
Long Time Financial Returns
Schools have to support an extensive setup for the electric supply, so the requirements for the panels for schools are high. More panels mean a higher cost for solar installation. However, this initial cost is worth the investment because it provides long-term benefits.
Most solar panels come with a 25-year warranty, and the rate of decrease in efficiency is only 0.02% annually. Moreover, solar panels work correctly if appropriately handled and require significantly little maintenance charges. Therefore, they are an excellent source of long-term savings in terms of fewer utility bills.
Set a Motivational Example
Installing solar energy at schools means you are setting an example for the other schools in your community. When you take part in the recycling campaigns within the inter school community of your area, solar at your school place keeps you ahead of all others in terms of the mission and vision of recycling and shows your true spirit and dedication to the recycling concepts.
Creates Positive Reputation
School success is directly related to the school’s image and reputation within the community. Students, parents, and faculty are attracted to schools that provide the best educational opportunities and good moral values.
By installing solar panels, you can show dedication to an excellent educational system and sound ethical values, such as environmental responsibility.
Community Collaboration
Installing solar panels can create opportunities for organizations to work on the exact cause (green energy and a sustainable environment). Government institutions, private organizations, stakeholders, and many third parties collaborate with you for awareness campaigns and seminars about green energy, provide funding for research topics, and facilitate labs with the latest equipment for research purposes.
In short, solar installation helps you in many ways, such as financial benefits, community benefits, environmental sustainability, etc. Are you planning to go solar after reading about all these benefits of switching to solar energy for your school?
You must want to know about the cost, installation procedure, and required size for your school. I have prepared a short guide for you. If you want to know the customized requirements of installing renewable energy for schools, you can contact my team for a detailed consultation meeting.
Cons of Solar Panels for Schools
Following are the cons for the solar panels for schools:
Hefty Initial Cost
The initial cost of solar panels is high, and schools with a low budget can not afford it. However, various financing options are available to address this issue.
Effects of Weather
Solar energy is affected by weather conditions. The average temperature for solar work is 25 degrees centigrade. However, there are a few states where the temperature remains below it in winter.
Moreover, storms and hailing also affect the efficiency of solar panels. So, solar panels are not suitable for schools located in areas with extreme weather conditions.
Poor Roof Conditions
The poor roof conditions of schools make solar installation unsuitable. Such schools require pre-installation services for roof maintenance, which is an additional cost.
Space Issues
Schools with fewer spaces face this issue. As schools require more watts to meet their daily energy needs, a good space is required, but smaller schools don’t have enough and cannot benefit from solar energy.
Repairing Cost
If solar panels get damaged by weather, schools must manage the cost of repairing them within their budget.
Places to Put Solar Panels in school
The solar panels in schools can be placed on the:
- Roof
- Ground
- Corridors
- Sports grounds
- Unused open spaces
Solar Panels For Schools Cost
Schools are eligible for incentives and rebates for installing the solar system. Many government grants are available to lower the cost of the solar system for schools.
The average cost for 1-5 KW solar systems ranges between 3000$ to 30,000$. These solar system sizes cover 200 acres of land. As the size of the solar system increases, the number of panels and the cost will also increase. Some schools require small solar systems to meet their needs, while others require a heavy solar system. Therefore, the cost of solar installation varies from school to school.
The factors that affect the average cost are:
- System size and number of panels
- Brand of the solar system
- Installing company chargers
- Roof conditions of the schools
You can also read more: How to hire solar consultants?
Solar Financing Options for Schools
Schools are eligible for incentives and rebates for installing the solar system. Many government grants are available to lower the cost of the solar system for schools.
Green Energy Incentives For Schools
The US Department of Energy (DOA) has announced $500 million in revenue for the “Renew America School Programme”. This program aims to implement the solar panel system in most K-12 public schools nationwide. The first round of this funding was launched in 2022, and authorities have specified about $182.5 million for public schools.
Out of these, $4.5 million has been dedicated to the local educational agencies (LEAs) to upgrade the implementation of green energy infrastructure, and 178$ has been dedicated to the schools as a grant. Till now, around 90 schools have facilitated through this fund across 22 states, benefitting about 74,000 students and 5,000 teachers.
Power Purchase Agreement
It is a good option for schools with low budgets. In this process, you purchase solar energy from a solar owner, not a solar system. This is beneficial because the schools don’t have to pay an initial amount for the solar system.
Tax Exempt Municipal Leasing
Leasing a solar panel from a taxpayer is also a good option for the schools. As schools are not taxpayers, they do not receive any incentives. So, leasing solar from a US citizen who is a taxpayer is a good option. Although it is not common, it is beneficial and many schools do it.
HPI Programme
This program provides funds to high-energy-performing schools, which is a relief for them to purchase solar systems.
Modernization Grants
These grants are given to the schools on a 60/40 basis to improve their education facilities.
New Construction Grants
These grants are given to schools on a 50/50 basis. The criteria set by officials determine the eligibility of the school.
Solar Future for Schools
Financial Benefits
With solar panel installation, schools can save a huge amount on electricity bills and use this money for other core purposes.
Technological Advancements
Solar panels enable schools to bear the cost of electricity used by high-end lab appliances such as computers and electrical microscopes. Saving electrical bills and spending on lab equipment bring technological advancements.
Environmental Impact
By using renewable energy, schools positively impact environmental preservation for future generations.
Solar Energy Impact on the School Community
Solar on schools are renewable energy sources and reduces the carbon footprints of schools and universities. It reduces your dependability on fossil fuels, ultimately less emission of pollutants into the environment, lowering the chances of diseases related to environmental pollution such as Asthma.
So, switching to green energy means contributing to the community’s well-being and creating a suitable environment for the next generations.
Solar Energy Impact on Students
Students learn from practical experiences rather than theory. By installing solar systems, you can significantly impact the students and tell them the importance of green energy and a sustainable environment.
It is a practical way to convey to your students that the polluting climate is a significant threat to today’s world, and we can manage this alarming situation by contributing our part.
Challenges Schools Can Face While Going Solar
Schools face the following challenges when going solar:
- Finding a suitable place to install solar setup
- Get approval for the financial help
- Finding a reliable installer
- Managing the cash flow while investing a heavy amount for solar installation
- Solar repairing cost
If you want to meet these challenges, you must approach a reliable solar installation company.
List of schools that are using solar in USA
Top 10 schools that are using solar efficiency are as under:
Stats About the Solar Panels For Schools in USA
Many big names in the school community have shifted from fossil fuels to green energy. Some big names with green energy sources are Yale, Princeton, Northwestern, the University of San Diego, and the University of Arizona.
Almost 5,489 K-12 schools are using the benefits of green energy and reports have proved that they have observed significant reductions in the electric bills and manage their annual budget efficiently.
How to Get Free Solar Panels for schools?
There is no such option as “free solar panels”. However, there are some options that lower the cost of solar panels for schools. These options are:
- Solar incentives and rebates
- Solar leasing
- Power purchase agreement
- Government Financing options for schools
- Schools District Funds
Final Words
Solar installation for schools is a good option to save money and invest it on the school core components such as labs, equipment, and educational tours. There are many funding and financing options for schools. You can research about those applicable in your area or contact us. We will handle your school solar installation from start to end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Solar panels reduce the carbon footprint and electricity costs, and schools can easily manage their budgets and spend the savings on the core purpose of the school, such as education, labs, research, and seminars.
Moreover, installing solar panels is good for the school’s image. It shows that school management is concerned about the environment, and students will learn good ethical values.
Yes, when we talk about solar for schools the government of the USA offers various incentives. The US Department of Energy (DOA) has announced $500 million in revenue for the “Renew America School Programme”.” This program aims to implement solar panel systems in 12 public schools nationwide.
Moreover, installing solar panels is good for the school’s image. It shows that school management is concerned about the environment, and students will learn good ethical values.
The number of solar panels in schools depends upon the school’s needs and the space available. However, schools usually install solar panels ranging between 30KW and 100KW.
