Tools & Calculators
One School's Solar Project Fuels a Movement
In 2006, KyotoUSA began advocating for the installation of renewable energy systems on Berkeley’s public schools. We felt that addressing energy issues in our public schools would have a number of important benefits:
1. Reduce the school district’s operating costs – fossil fuel generated electricity has been increasing in cost beyond its historic average, putting increasing pressure on the District’s operating budget. Reducing energy consumption and adding solar panels would make the district more fiscally sound;
2. Reduce the amount of greenhouse gases produced to make electricity – the generation of electricity from solar panels is virtually free of climate altering pollution and other toxic air contaminants;
3. Enhance science education – our hope was that the District would use the opportunity to introduce the science of renewable energy to its students;
4. Demonstrate our commitment to our children’s future – there is no greater threat to our children’s future than climate change. We must begin to invest in visible, effective actions that show our children that we are taking the threat seriously.
As the result of a community-wide effort, a 103 kW photovoltaic (PV) system was installed at Washington Elementary in August 2008. The electricity generated by the system provides almost all the electricity the school needs.
KyotoUSA commissioned a study to estimate the benefits (economic, environmental, health) that accrue to the community from that PV system. The benefits described in the study supplement the obvious economic benefits that a school district realizes when it produces its own electricity.
By determining the value and extent of these additional benefits, we were also able to support our case for the establishment of a Community Climate FundTM - a fund that would accept contributions from concerned local residents, businesses, and institutions who wanted to support the installation of PV systems on public schools throughout the City.
Go to the study One School’s Solar Project Fuels a Movement (pdf)
Go to the Jobs, Emissions, Health Calculator. The calculator will give you a good estimate of the following benefits:
1. The number of jobs a local PV project will support,
2. The amount of money that will remain in the community where the PV project is installed,
3. The health benefits that are generated - especialy for those people living in areas where electrcity plants are located, and
4. The amount of greenhouse gases and other toxic air pollutants that avoided by producing electricity from the Sun!
Here are several links to recent publications that will give you a fairly comprehensive overview of the type of financing that is available to schools, local government, and other non-residential electricity users:
1) Grid Neutral: Electrical Independence for California Schools and Community Colleges - is a comprehensive look at how to make schools more energy efficient and where districts can find the funding to install renewable energy systems. Published by the State of California (February 2009).
2) The Customer's Guide to Solar Power Purchase Agreements - provides a thorough look at Power Purchase Agreements and their benefits and risks. Published by the Rahus Institute (October 2008).
3) Financing Non-Residential Photovoltaic Projects: Options and Implications - this study provides a fairly technical description of financing for both taxable and tax-exempt non-residential electricity consumers. Authored by Mark Bolinger, Environmental Energy Technologies Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (January 2009).
Rebates, Incentives, and Services
1) One of the best state programs for publicly funded K-12 schools is the California Energy Commission's "Bright Schools" program. Districts can receive support (up to $20K) for energy audits, and get proposals, designs, and equipment bid specs reviewed by CEC specialists and consultants. Brights Schools will also introduce districts to the CEC's Energy Efficiency Financing program which offers very low interest loans for energy efficiency improvements and solar installations. In September 2009, the CEC announced a new 1% low interest loan programs for public schools interested in improving energy efficiencies and installing renewable energy systems. At 1% interest it may be possible to install a PV system and pay for it entirely from energy savings. Contact us if you would like to learn more.
2) Check out Flex Your Power for an extensive listing of rebates, incentives, and services (many of the services are free or low cost) for energy and water users in California. Flex Your Power is California's statewide energy efficiency marketing and outreach campaign.
Note: The financing that is available to school districts and other PV purchasers is constantly evolving. We will do our best to keep this information as current and accurate as we can so that it can be a useful source of information. Nevertheless, we cannot assume any responsibility for how you use this information. Please be sure to do your homework prior to entering into any agreements for PV systems or Power Purchase Agreements.
