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Energy

Solar for your School - Go the Extra Mile

Solar is a diverse energy source, offering many different useful applications. The basic solar technologies are Photovoltaic Systems, Concentrating Solar Power, and Solar Heating. You can learn more about all of these in the Upload Knowledge Section.

Options for your school!
There are many solar technologies that are useful for schools since solar is such a versatile energy source. As you consider the possibilities, use the DOE’s Glossary of Solar Terms if you come across a technical word that you don’t know.

ELECTRICITY SYSTEMS—run by Photovoltaics

HEAT SYSTEMS—run by solar collectors

Three types of solar collectors:

flat-plate collectors

evacuated-tube collectors

integral collector-storage systems

Two most common heating systems:

Solar Hot Water

Solar Space Heating & Cooling

SOLAR LIGHTING SYSTEMS

Two methods:

Daylighting

Other technologies such as lens collectors and hybrid fixtures

~Pros

After the cost of installation, the energy you get from the sun is free!
Solar systems are cheap to maintain because they are nearly maintenance free for 30 years and many manufacturers even offer warranties of 20 years or more.
There are currently many financial incentives available for solar installation from federal and state governments as well as other organizations.
The payback period where solar systems eventually pay for themselves by producing free energy is dropping. Many current systems only have a payback of 4 years, but with the next generation of solar technology, the payback period is expected to drop to less than 2 years!
A solar energy system doesn’t have to meet all your electricity demands in order to save you money in the long-run. Even producing a portion of your own electricity can save you a lot on your normal electricity bill. First, you could ensure that you don’t go over the “base rate” your utility company sets in a tiered rate system where they charge extra when your building exceeds the set base rate. Second, if your utility offers TOU Metering (Time-of-Use Metering), then the price of electricity varies according to the time of day, usually being most expensive in the middle of the day. Solar systems produce most of their output during this time, meaning that you would purchase the least amount of your electricity from the grid when it’s most expensive. This equals savings!
Photovoltaic systems are usually not threatened by severe weather like most people assume. They are angled to catch sun, but deflect snow, and any snow that does collect melts quickly. Also, hail doesn’t harm them, and believe it or not, PV works best in really cold weather.
Photovoltaic systems can be used in many creative ways besides electricity production in the building. They can be used to power security lighting on school grounds, in parking lots, or bus shelters, and while they are producing electricity, they can also offer shelter.
They operate silently, without any moving parts.
More solar panels can easily be added in the future if your needs increase because of solar’s modular capability.
Solar energy systems don’t release any air pollution while they’re operating, unlike fossil fuels and biomass.

~Cons

The initial cost of installing a system is often high because of the expensive semi-conducting materials used to make them. However, this investment often pays for itself over the life of the system.
Systems can’t be installed at any given place on the property because they have to be positioned to get the best access to the sun.
The level of production of solar energy is affected by clouds and air pollution, so some days you’ll have to rely a little more on electricity from the grid.
Also, solar energy can’t be produced at night, but you can relay on net metering or a back-up battery system to fulfill nighttime demand.
Solar systems can work in most climates, but the number of hours of available sunlight will determine how many panels are needed, and the number of panels will definitely affect the total price of the system.
You will need adequate roof space for a photovoltaic system. Many of the larger systems take up as much as 1,000 square feet.

Is Solar feasible for your school?
The Department of Energy offers a list of decision making tools to help you decide on the feasibility of a solar project and what type of solar project you might want to take on.

One way to do a quick feasibility check for a photovoltaic project is to use a Clean Power Estimator, which tells you details of how much particular solar systems may cost in your area, considering financial incentives, installation costs, and the available sunlight you have. The best ones to use are those tailored to your specific state or region, like these…

New York’s NYSERDA’s Clean Power Estimator

California Energy Commission’s Clean Power Estimator™

If you can’t find one for your particular state, groSolar recommends the New York Estimator because they keep up to date with data from across the United States.

To do a quick check of feasibility for other types of solar systems in addition to PV, such as solar hot water, solar space heating & cooling, and solar pool heating, check out Findsolar.com’s Solar Estimator. It will not only estimate the costs of various systems with funding incentives included, but it will also give you an estimation of how much you’ll save on electric or heating bills. After you’ve seen your estimations, you can peruse a list of local installation companies. If you choose to check off the companies that interest you, the Estimator will send an automatic email to them with your contact information and relevant electricity use data.

Sweet success at other schools!
If you’re interested in the latest solar projects at schools across the country, check out the IREC News section on schools going solar! For some more detailed success stories, scroll down to the bottom of this page to see what these K-12 schools in New York have done.

Ready to dive into a project?

As you explore the possibilities and talk to professionals, don’t forget to use the DOE’s Glossary of Solar Terms if you come across a solar word you don’t understand!

Start by reading some general guides for the type of solar system you’re interested in using at your school. The Department of Energy offers these web pages that offer some basic thoughts to get you started for Photovoltaics, and Solar Hot Water or Space Heating & Cooling. Then, they offer these more extensive guides: Photovaltaics Guide and Hot Water Guide.

Once you’re ready to start talking to some professionals for price quotes and the details of installation, these resources can help:

American Solar Energy Society’s Renewable Resources Directory is a searchable database of local auditors, planners, fundraisers, and installers that can help you with your solar project. Unfortunately, not all states and regions are represented in the database.
Findsolar.com has a Search for Solar Pro Function where you can do a general search of solar professionals in your area or you can search by company name. The convenient check boxes allow you to check off all the technologies you’re interested in using.
Solar Energy Business Association of New England allows you to search for solar businesses that meet the association’s membership principles.
The American Institute of Architects’ can help you find a professional green architect if your solar project involves a serious renovation or addition.

If you’d like professional guidance before even talking to an installer, many state governments and local non-profits offer solar programs like the following ones that help you gauge feasibility, decide on an appropriate system, find the right professional, and secure funding:

The Foundation for Environmental Education can help lead you all the way to an installation. Just click on the “Solar Initiatives” menu in the upper left corner of the site, and then click on “Solar schools.”
State-specific programs like New York’s School Power Naturally offers help every step of the way, such as this guide that explains how to survey your property and get ready to do a PV installation.

If you or your school’s maintenance staff would rather do some of the work yourselves, you might find these resources helpful:

This Department of Energy site outlines training programs across the U.S. that teach people how to work on solar energy systems. Some of the programs teach installation, some maintenance, and some just knowledge about how the systems work.
Solar Energy Internationals Workshops teach how to design and install different solar systems with hands-on learning classes or through online classes. People who attend these classes can earn college credit.

As you start narrowing down some potential project ideas, don’t forget to check the local codes and requirements for small renewable energy systems to make sure your proposed system would be in compliance.

Do you have any unanswered questions? Find Solar’s searchable Frequently Asked Questions List has almost any question you can think of with a detailed answer!

Where can we find funding?
For any type of solar system you’re considering, the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency provides information on grants and financial assistance that may be available for your project.

You’ll also want to consider your utility’s net-metering status, as well as other details about potential savings related to your system’s connection to the grid.