Photovoltaic Systems for Schools: An Opportunity of Learning

Schools districts from Maine to California are slashing costs in an effort to meet new more stringent budget requirements.  In many unfortunate cases kids are deprived of important classes in the arts and physical education in place of simply keeping the lights on.  Instead of eliminating programs and teachers schools should take a closer look at their expenses, namely their energy consumption, as a way to solve this major problem.  Taken collectively, schools are major consumers of energy, and contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. They also have the potential to use resources sustainably and become producers of their own power. This potential, combined with their ability to teach the next generation and communities of families by example, makes schools key elements in the drive to transform this countries energy and resource consumption from a destructive model toward one of sustainability.

The unfortunate truth is that most US schools are energy hogs and have very few mechanisms in place to regulate sustainable usage of available resources.  The end result is a negative toll both on the environment and the dwindling pool of public and private funds which feed the schools.   Funds that can be more appropriately used to pay teachers, buy books and support fringe programs.

As a solution a number of schools in California have installed photovoltaic systems that change the energy from the sun’s rays into electricity, flowing straight into existing electrical systems of the buildings. Solar energy can be used both to generate electricity, through the photovoltaic systems, and solar thermal energy can be used to heat water. Overall, significant savings in electric bills will be realized for solar powered schools. Further, with lifetimes of over 30 years, the PV panels may extend the lives of existing roofs, adding to the savings for the school districts.

The benefits of school-based solar electric installations are two pronged.  The first, and most obvious, is financial benefit realized from onsite production of energy. Through energy-efficient renovations and technologies like PV, DOE estimates that schools can cut that cost by 25 percent. Funding for solar powered schools comes in part from various sources including the Solar Education Project, local utilities, universities, and state agencies. In addition, federal tax rules allow for accelerated depreciation and a 30 percent renewable energy tax credit.  The second benefit  is to educate and raise awareness among schoolchildren about protecting our environment through the use of renewable energy. Through the production of renewable energy, the schools have developed an innovative curriculum that incorporates information about clean energy technologies into business, math and science lessons.  In addition the students are getting a glimpse into the future – and they need look no further than their school’s rooftop.