Energy
Helpful Organizations & Benchmark Programs - Go the Extra Mile
Even though we will point out many useful resources for installing a
renewable energy source at your school, you still may find yourself overwhelmed
by something as simple as where to begin or how exactly a renewable energy
system would fit into your long-term goals of saving money. Therefore,
it’s important to be aware of organizations that will help you every step of the
way. Some of these organizations are literally there to hold your hand as
you plan, implement, and gauge success. Others won’t hold your hand, but
will give you clear benchmarks so that you can at least focus your goals.
National Benchmark-Type Programs
The following benchmark programs are not isolated from each other in their goals
of gauging or certifying your energy efficiency success, but simply offer
different focuses. For example, the Advanced Buildings Benchmark™ helps
you achieve LEED certification points from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Similarly, using Energy Star appliances can be a key component toward meeting
LEED certification or Advanced Buildings Benchmark™ goals…
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U.S. Green Building Council’s
LEED Certification
Program is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction
and operation of high performance green buildings. Therefore, an on-site
renewable energy system would serve a school well if it earned some LEED
certification points. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools
they need to have a measurable impact on their building’s overall sustainability
and energy performance. Specifically, LEED focuses on human and
environmental health, sustainable development of a site for a new facility or
renovation project, water savings, materials selection, indoor air quality, and
of course, energy efficiency. Click here to learn more about
LEED initiatives
for schools across the country. And click here to learn about the
steps to gaining LEED Certification.
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Advanced Buildings Benchmark™ is a comprehensive guide to help you in
planning for a building upgrade to reach benchmarks involving energy
conservation, energy hardware improvements, or even investment in an on-site
renewable energy source, like Photovoltaic technology. It’s designed
specifically for the building owner, planners of the project, or architects,
engineers, and contractors who are also involved. Information regarding
renewable energy benchmarks is on page 90.
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Energy Star’s K-12 website offers goals for recognition such as the
Energy Star
for one of your buildings or the chance for your school to become an
Energy Star
Leader. Furthermore, you can simply
partner with
Energy Star to get access to more resources and recognition. See what
other schools across the country have accomplished by partnering with them.
Finally, Energy Star offers the
Portfolio Manager, a way
to track energy and waste use and systems across the whole district. The
program not only allows you to compare potential and existing improvements in
your facilities, but it gives you guidance toward achieving Energy Star
benchmarks so that your district can gain recognition for its effort.
Organizations to help you along the way
Many of the most beneficial organizations and programs that can hold your hand
as you tackle an on-site renewable energy project are local or regional in
scope, so we’ll only mention a few of them here. But, one that is national
in scope is the
EnergySmart Schools Program. The program is primarily focused on the
construction of an energy efficient school from the bottom up. But, it
also aids schools in additions, renovations, and special projects, such as
installing an on-site renewable energy system! To see the breadth of their
resources,
click here.
State initiatives and programs
Regional initiatives and programs