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Solar for schools

Solar for schools. April 2013. National solar schools movement. National movement among K-12 schools across the country to go solar More than 500 K-12 schools in 43 states have gone solar in last three years Part of larger effort by educators to: Create educational opportunities Save money

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Solar for schools

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  1. Solar for schools April 2013

  2. National solar schools movement • National movement among K-12 schools across the country to go solar • More than 500 K-12 schools in 43 states have gone solar in last three years • Part of larger effort by educators to: • Create educational opportunities • Save money • Reduce carbon footprints

  3. Taking schools solar • Wide range of effective models • Every project reflects needs and goals of school • Two major approaches • Large vs. small • Direct ownership vs. third-party ownership

  4. Small systems • Small, 1-5 kW projects • Installed in highly visible areas • Designed to demonstrate how solar works • Easy to incorporate into curriculum and activities because highly visible • Often implemented by individual schools or groups of parents

  5. Example • Illinois Solar Schools Program helps K-12 schools install 1 kW demonstration systems with online monitoring systems • Since 2006 the Program has funded projects at over 220 schools

  6. Large systems • Large solar installation on roof, parking lot, or open area • Include multiple buildings within school district • Offsets significant portion of school’s electric bill • Often planned as part of large building or renovation project, included in master plan for district

  7. Example • Milpitas School District in California installed solar parking lot canopies on 14 properties • District will save $12 million on electric bills over 25-years

  8. Model for taking schools solar • Direct ownership • Purchase solar systems outright • Retain RECs and incentives • See immediate savings on utility bills • Must provide upfront capital to pay for system • Cannot take advantage of federal and state tax incentives

  9. Examples of direct ownership Models • Bake Sale Model • Uses a combination of grants and fundraising to cover the entire cost of a solar system • Do not sign any long-term contracts with the installer • Good fit if: • Proposed system is small • Goal is to have a solar demonstration project • Have funding opportunities/grants available • Are located in wealthy community • Have student body that is large and/or very active

  10. Examples of direct ownership Models • Do-It-Yourself Model • Fundraise the cost of the system • Community members, parents, or teachers install the panels with the help of an installer • Good fit if: • Local installer is interested/willing to provide a discount on the system cost in exchange for help from community • Community members with solar installation or electrical experience are interested in helping with the project.

  11. Examples of direct ownership Models • State or Utility Solar Schools Programs • Some statesoffer state-sponsored or utility-sponsored programs that provide schools with grants for solar systems • For example: PG&E Foundation, TXU Energy, and the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation • Visit your local utility’s website or check out http://www.dsireusa.org to see what programs are available

  12. Model for taking schools solar • Third-party Ownership • Third-party-financed PV installations are owned and operated by another entity, usually a solar developer or its investors • Can go solar with $0 upfront • Allows schools to take advantage of tax credits on systems • Less risk for schools, since do not own the panels • Operations and maintenance included in PPA agreement

  13. Examples of third-party ownership Models • Community-Owned Power Purchase Agreements • Similar to traditional PPAs • Members of the community create a third-party entity to own the system on behalf of the school in order to take advantage of tax incentives • Third-party entity (made up of community members) owns and operates the solar system • Members of the community can support a solar project financially while still earning a modest return on their investment.

  14. Examples of third-party ownership Models • Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. installed 120 solar panels on gym • Funded $200,000 cost of the project by inviting community members to purchase solar bonds in increments of $5,000 • Bonds earn a modest rate of return for about 10 years

  15. Examples of third-party ownership Models • Morris Model • Hybrid approach that allows a private solar developer to become the owner of the project • State or local government provides the solar developer with low-cost project capital by issuing debt (such as bonds).

  16. Conclusion • Nationwide movement for schools to go solar • Wide variety of approaches • See huge enthusiasm for projects among community members, administrators, students, and teachers

  17. Questions? • Emily Stiever • Program Director • Community Power Network • emily@communitypowernetwork.com • http://www.communitypowernetwork.com

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