Schools Benefit from Solar in California

School communities across the US alike will benefit from solar adoption. As the industry booms, more schools are adopting solar systems as costs decrease. There are many environmental and educational benefits to integrating a PV Solar System to the conventional school’s normal electricity supply. This is called a “grid tied” or “grid interactive” system.

Free Electricity for the District

While this may sound too good to be true, there is data-driven evidence to support this statement. Installing solar panels on the school grounds can reduce school's’ energy bills significantly. According to an SEIA.org analysis report, their findings showed that 450 individual school districts could each save more than $1,000000 over 30 years by installing a solar PV system. Their energy generated in one year by all 3,727 PV systems represents a combined $77.8 million per year in utility bills - an average of almost $21,000 per year per school.

This combined value is roughly equivalent to 155,000 tablet computers or nearly 2,200 new teachers’ salaries per year. Renewable energy is a substitute for fossil-fuel-burning sources, is free from the sun and runs on an endless supply. Switching to solar energy is, therefore, one of the biggest changes your community can make to help curb global warming and climate change effects.

If the 72,000 schools for which solar would be a cost-effective investment were to deploy systems sized proportionally to their student body size, the combined electricity generation could offset greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking approximately 1 million passenger vehicles off the road. Students have access to both the PV system and range of computer-based educational materials, developed to raise their awareness of the green energy technology advancements.

Educators and teachers recognize the value of solar energy in providing a long-term hedge against increases in utility rates while school boards and administrators are attracted to the technology’s ability to deliver cost savings. Solar also presents teachers with a number of educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

Lastly, it cannot be denied that going solar is the way of the future. The Solar Energy Industries Association predicts that, by 2017, the surging demand for solar systems will add hundreds of thousands of green-collar jobs to the economy, including those in research, development, manufacturing, construction, sales, and marketing.

Improves Sustainable Brand Image - Aides Enrollment

For many students, especially in liberal urban environments, going to aor university that is seen as being sustainable and eco-conscious can be a distinguishing factor. Students seek out schools that’s ideal for the environment to study sustainable practices and green policy. This makes solar-powered campuses an attractive choice.

The sustainability movement has taken off in a major way, and the majority of universities have established some type of Office of Sustainability to promote green practices. Having a massive solar array on a school’s rooftop is an easy way to establish a green power brand and offer an edge for students trying to decide between two colleges of similar appeal.

Additionally, schools and universities are associated with innovation and thus, having the newest, most carbon conscious and efficient form of energy will certainly affirm credibility that a school in question is truly a progressive institution. If you’d like more information, click here.

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