Solar power systems can improve energy efficiency and consumption for organizations in a variety of industries and sectors, including education. The right solar installation can lower energy costs significantly for K-12 schools as well as colleges and universities. Let’s look at the different solar project options that can help you make solar for your school a reality.
Solar Project Financing Options for Educational Institutions
When considering a solar project for your school building or college campus, you have a few different financing options when partnering with a solar developer including no money/zero investment opportunities. Many schools choose to purchase their solar array with 100%, no money down clean energy financing. Others choose to enter into a power purchase agreement (PPA) with their solar partner to buy the solar energy produced on their facility at a discounted, fixed rate. And in some cases, they choose to simply lease their roof to the solar partner and generate revenue in the form of rent. In the cases of a PPA or roof lease, the solar developer/partner owns, operates and maintains the solar system and the school shares in all the benefits of the project.
Of course, you can also purchase your solar array outright, but many education institutions do not choose this financing option because most organizations who own their solar arrays purchase it with the help of federal and state government solar panel programs and tax incentives. Most schools, colleges, and universities are non-profit institutions that cannot use or take advantage of solar tax credits and other incentive programs. Luckily, Verogy can help you navigate these different financing options and choose the right one for your school, campus, or entire school district.
Solar Installation Options for Schools
When you install a solar array for your building or campus, you can install it in a few different ways. You can install your array on a rooftop, or on a section of a parking lot. You can also install it on a nearby field, if you have one available. Each of these installation types work well for schools and campuses, but you need the right solar partner to help you determine which ones fit your specific campus or building best.
How Do Solar Panels Benefit Schools?
Solar panel systems benefit schools by dramatically reducing energy costs. Costs for other energy sources have been rising, but solar energy was declared the cheapest form of energy in 2016, according to EnergySage. Switching to solar helps you lower your energy costs and free up room in your budget to spend on your students’ education. Additionally, solar energy helps you improve the environment around your building, campus, or district by lowering your carbon footprint and reducing your overall environmental impact. Because of this, solar panels for colleges, universities, and K-12 schools can improve your institution’s brand and help it become more eco-friendly.
What Should You Look for in a Solar Partner?
When your institution partners with a solar company, choose a partner who can help you navigate every part of the solar development, installation, and maintenance processes. Your solar partner should also help you choose the right financing option for your school’s solar project and maintain your installation after it’s complete. Verogy does all this and more because we want you to reap the benefits of solar energy and choose clean energy over fossil fuels. After all, solar is now inexpensive and efficient, and we have the resources and expertise to make it work for your institution.
7,332 K-12 schools now use solar power in the U.S. 5.3 million students nationwide attend a school with a solar installation.
Install Your School’s Solar Array With Verogy
Reach out to Verogy today to start implementing a solar project on your school’s campus. We’ve implemented solar systems for colleges and universities as well as K-12 schools, and we customized our services and solutions for each one of them. Trust us to help you develop, install, and maintain the right solution for your building’s, campus’s, or district’s needs. We keep your needs in mind throughout every step of the solar installation process and after your project is up and running. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions you have about solar projects for the education sector.
