Solar on Schools

Schools are natural centers for learning and community activity and thus make ideal sites for photovoltaic (PV) systems.

In the interest of educating the public and moving solar technologies to market, Solar Works, Inc., a leading renewable energy services provider since 1980, has initiated the Solar on Schools program. Since the program began in 1998, Solar Works has installed 20 PV systems, ranging from a 300 watt system at an environmental education center in Concord, New Hampshire, to a six kilowatt system at the University of Vermont in Burlington.

Educational materials and training on renewable energy are also made available as part of the program. These resources include access to SolarQuest, a Web site that links solar schools across the country; a subscription to Solar Today, CD-ROMs about renewable energy; demonstration PV modules for use in classroom experiments; and a host of interacctive classroom and field exercises.

Roof-mounted and “roof-integrated” PV systems are being placed on public and private schools and colleges throughout New England to demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits solar electric systems can provide.

Adapted from Sustainable Architecture White Pages, by Earth Pledge Foundation.Copyright (c) 2000, The Earth Pledge Foundation .Reprinted by permission of Chelsea Green Publishing Company.
Adapted from Sustainable Architecture White Pages, by Earth Pledge Foundation.

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Micheal M.

8:19AM PST on Feb 2, 2012

knowledge is not power its empowering lets be empowered
life has value beyond measure
Peace and Love

send a green star

Teresa W.

1:38AM PST on Nov 16, 2011

great idea

Tim C.

2:47PM PST on Nov 15, 2011

thanks

Tom G.

8:40PM PDT on Jul 22, 2011

schools with solar should get tax breaks or discounts!

Anne H.

5:04AM PDT on Jul 21, 2011

I'm all for this idea & getting as much use out of those buidlings as possible. Great idea. Solar water heaters and you wouldn't have to heat hand washing water, gray water and re-use systems and you would save on water. Play ground equipment where exercise = energy, even better. These lucky kids will grow up to be engineers....if we are lucky.

For those who think solar is too expensive or doesn't fit their situation look for a company that leases the equipment.

Brenda T.

10:55AM PDT on Jun 16, 2011

Much to be encouraged!

Jon H.

9:57AM PDT on May 21, 2011

This is a great idea and would save thousands of tax dollars in electric bills. Just think, when their is power failure, school is still open with solar power. Sorry kids. Ha!

Rosie L.

12:57PM PDT on May 20, 2011

great article thanks!!

Judy E.

6:14AM PST on Feb 10, 2011

Maybe the students will educate their parents on the great value SOLAR would be to our nation & the world/Earth & we'll finally get this incredible energy source developed! :D

Kath R.

11:21AM PST on Jan 6, 2011

Solar panels will become very familiar to this new generation of people...soon they'll wonder what it could possibly have been like before solar panels.