By Ellie Wilkoff

School districts face a unique challenge: supporting positive outcomes for students and teachers while managing aging buildings, changing enrollment, and increasing utility costs. Electricity has become one of the most unpredictable and daunting budget items for schools, driven by rising demand on the grid and double-digit electricity rate increases in many regions.

To address rising energy costs, an increasing number of educational institutions are adopting on-site solar power as a long-term, strategic solution. This enables schools to stabilize operating budgets, better meet sustainability commitments, and reinvest savings into educational priorities.

Hedging Energy Costs with Predictable Power

Unlike other budget expenses, energy costs can fluctuate constantly because of differences in fuel prices, infrastructure constraints, and regional demand. K-12 schools across states like Georgia have experienced steep, ongoing rate hikes that are outpacing inflation. Even with proper planning for these potential impacts, school districts continue to experience significant strain, forcing them to consider alternative options.

On-site solar power enables schools to offset a significant portion of their electricity use and insulates budgets from future utility rate increases. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, schools with on-site solar can reduce electricity costs by 20% to 40%, depending on system size and energy usage patterns. For districts managing dozens of facilities, those savings can add up quickly. For example, this is especially beneficial during hot summer afternoons when grid power is most expensive, because the solar power system produces energy when grid demand peaks.

Solar Without the Upfront Cost

Historically, concerns about capital investment and technical maintenance kept school districts from adopting solar. But today, third-party ownership models, such as Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), or Solar Energy Procurement Agreements (SEPAs) in Georgia, have become the preferred path for schools. Through these long-term energy agreements, schools can lock in steady electricity pricing for 20 to 30 years, creating budget certainty that supports better financial planning. By adopting this model, the solar providers design, install, own, and maintain the system. The schools pay only for the energy produced on site, which is often cheaper than utility-supplied power.

The model offers many benefits for schools, including eliminating upfront capital costs and shifting operational and performance risk away from the school. It also helps districts avoid the intricacy and staffing demands that have sometimes accompanied traditional energy-service contracts (ESCOs).

ESCO projects often require active district involvement, including additional fees, and rely on savings estimates that can be overshadowed by rapid year-over-year increases in utility rates. In

contrast, third-party solar energy agreements are preferred because they reduce reliance on utility-supplied electricity and provide transparent, fixed pricing per kilowatt-hour produced. These agreements are easy to track through monthly bills and are directly tied to actual energy production.

Rooftops, Canopies and Smart Design

Rooftop solar, a system of solar panels installed on the roof of a building to generate electricity for the building, remains the most cost-effective and widely recommended option for most K-12 schools. Today鈥檚 modern systems are commonly designed using non-penetrating mounting systems, helping schools maintain roof warranties and meet facility standards.

When roof space is limited or when a school wants added value, such as shaded parking or walkway coverage, solar canopies offer an excellent alternative. These canopies are structures with solar panels mounted on top. While they often carry higher upfront costs compared to rooftop arrays, they help maximize generation in limited spaces and can provide additional value to campus operations, such as shade and weather protection.

Schools planning new construction or upcoming roof replacements can unlock significant long-term benefits by incorporating solar considerations from day one. This includes leaving adequate roof space for panels, engaging a solar provider early in the design process, and planning for additional electrical equipment. Taking these steps upfront helps avoid costly retrofits.

Strengthening Community Connection and Student Engagement

Apart from economic benefits, solar installations create visible proof of a school鈥檚 commitment to sustainability and energy stewardship. As sustainability factors increasingly influence school-choice decisions, on-site solar projects can become a source of pride and an asset for building community trust and reputation.

Solar installations also create more educational opportunities for students and guardians. Schools can incorporate solar into their curriculum by using real-time energy data in math and science classes, hosting classroom presentations on renewable energy, and using solar systems as hands-on learning tools for STEM education.

Reinvesting Savings Towards Students

For many, the most compelling impact of solar is what schools can do with the energy cost savings. Reduced energy expenses allow schools to allocate their budgets toward instructional programs, technology upgrades, facility improvements, and student services.

Schools have used energy cost savings from on-site solar to:

• Expand STEM and career-readiness programs.
• Invest in classroom equipment and structural framework.
• Support extracurricular activities.
• Address repairs without cutting instructional courses.

By lowering fixed operating costs, solar enables schools to stretch their budget without raising tuition or diverting funds from instruction.

Solar as a Long-Term Strategy

Energy demand continues to rise, fueled by regional grid constraints, data center expansions, and overall increasing electrification. Solar is becoming a foundational element of K-12 infrastructure strategy. Future-focused schools are integrating solar into new construction projects, roof replacements, and long-term capital improvement plans to maximize value and minimize disruption.

Rather than a one-off sustainability initiative, solar is becoming a standard tool for economic durability and operational functionality.

From the Rooftop Into the Classroom

Cherry Street Energy works with schools and school districts in Georgia. Schools like Atlanta International School, Woodward Academy, Stratford Academy, and the Friends School of Atlanta have benefited from Cherry Street鈥檚 model not only in a spreadsheet, but in the classroom as well. Cherry Street鈥檚 model enables schools to add more solar power systems to their facilities, and allows educators to leverage the company鈥檚 expertise with students. Team members from Cherry Street frequently collaborate with teachers and administrators to help their students and communities to learn more about solar energy.

“This initiative provides both environmental leadership and crucial financial protection for our school’s future,” said Kevin Glass, head of school at Atlanta International School. “By hedging against rising energy costs while supporting our sustainability goals, we’re ensuring that our resources can continue to focus on delivering world-class education to our students.”

Ellie Wilkoff is Utility Data Manager at Cherry Street Energy.

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A cost-benefit analysis examines a tiered approach to energy investments that can save schools significant money on annual operating expenses听

By Kate Mraw听

The realities of funding school construction make it difficult for districts to weigh the short- and long-term benefits of moving their campuses to cleaner, healthier, more energy-efficient environments. Are energy-efficient strategies cost-prohibitive? The Sustainability & Applied Research team at LPA Design Studios recently worked with in-house designers and engineers, and partner Joeris General Contractors, to explore the cost-benefit analysis of energy-efficient schools.听听

For our case study, we chose a recently completed elementary school in Dallas, Texas 鈥� where increasingly severe weather and problems with the electrical grid have upset the status quo of cheap energy and light regulation. As school districts in every state struggle to stretch budgets amid historic political and economic uncertainty, the team looked for opportunities to save money through sustainable design.听听听

Our goal was to understand what it would take to achieve energy independence. We want to be able to have a smart, informed conversation with our clients about up-front costs, return-on-investment and potential savings in annual operational costs.听

Starting with a data-rich digital model of the school, the team studied three tiers of additional energy-efficiency investment and their associated costs and energy savings. Tier 1 studied only passive strategies鈥攄esign elements like demand-control ventilation and increased roof insulation that reduce energy use with little to no added cost. Tier 2 looked at alternative HVAC systems 鈥� options for a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system and heat pumps 鈥� to eliminate natural gas. The third-and-final tier provided multiple options for reaching net-zero energy use by adding on-site energy generation infrastructure.听

The study shows just how much energy performance can be gained for free, simply with smart, passive design strategies; investing in modern, marginally more expensive HVAC tech; how quickly a net-zero energy school might pay for itself and start producing free energy.听听

The Results听

The results illustrate the significant operational savings available from creating more-energy-efficient buildings. Starting with a passive-only approach, the estimated annual energy cost was $65,000. The optimized HVAC system cut that number by 40% at the up-front cost of $250,000.听听

Going a step further, adding PV on the roof would cost an additional $570,000 but would reduce the energy costs to less than $10,000 a year, an 85% savings. To eliminate the electricity bills altogether, the school would need a total cost premium investment of around $1 million. Each of these scenarios would result in a simple payback of 14 to 16 years 鈥� potentially much less if energy prices increase, as expected.听听

The numbers reveal a variety of ways to address energy efficiency, from reevaluating so-called 鈥榖est practices鈥� to full energy independence. What鈥檚 clear is that a high-performing school building is not one-size-fits-all. The point is to give school districts what they need to make informed decisions with their budgets. The return might take 15 years, but over a life span of 50 to100 years, it adds up to a lot of free energy.听听

Beyond operational savings, the analysis didn鈥檛 include the intangible benefits found in energy-independent facilities. Energy strategies can play an important role in developing more resilient campuses, able to function no matter what happens to the grid. Texas energy and electricity customers experience the third-highest rate of power outages in the country, with almost 20 hours of outages in 2021, according to the most recent US Energy Information Administration data.听听

More sustainable schools are also, by nature, healthier schools. Campuses with natural daylight, reduced energy demand and no fossil fuel combustion save energy and promote a district鈥檚 well-being goals. They also serve as teaching tools, putting engineering and conservation on display on a daily basis.听

The data reinforces the importance of including sustainability in the initial planning process, when energy efficiency can be integrated into the design process and tied to the district鈥檚 larger goals. In a recent $370 million bond measure, Alamo Heights ISD included funds for 鈥渆fficiency and sustainability,鈥� earmarking dollars to address more-efficient energy-saving systems.听

By taking a tiered approach to the initial analysis, districts can find a comfort level that fits their budget and the priorities of their community. Districts can test the waters, see the savings and incorporate more strategies into future projects.听

While on first review, the systems may seem cost prohibitive, the real-world data illustrates an attractive return on investment. Buildings are a one-time expense that, if designed right, create value that can pay off for decades. For cash-poor districts overwhelmed by the maintenance and operation of obsolete, energy-hungry schools, capital improvement dollars provide a unique opportunity to get ahead. The way is clear: prioritizing energy efficiency spending at the right time frees up money later for the education and program expenses that make a real difference for students.听听听

Kate Mraw is the director of K-12 at LPA Design Studios, founder of the firm鈥檚 Sustainability & Applied Research team and co-author of 鈥淐reating the Regenerative School鈥� (ORO Editions, 2024).听

Read more great stories in the July/August edition of 麻豆福利网.听

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With today鈥檚 greater emphasis on sustainability, energy efficiency and healthy environments for students, educational facilities can benefit from seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

Indoor Air Quality Boost

The LEED standard is designed to encourage the construction of environmentally healthy and energy-efficient facilities. Incorporating the LEED guidelines and best practices related to indoor air quality can especially benefit students.

The IAQ requirements in LEED v4.1, which should become the official standard in early 2020, have been updated to comply with the 2017 version of the California Department of Health standards. It鈥檚 a more recent standard for environmentally acceptable products and materials that can be used in construction and furnishing schools.

Improving indoor air quality in schools is all about protecting students. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that poor indoor air quality causes student illnesses and increases absenteeism. The flip side of the equation is that finding ways to improve air quality in schools ends up boosting student performance, according to the EPA:

IAQ problems can cause increased absences due to respiratory infections, allergic diseases from biological contaminants, or adverse reactions to chemicals used in schools. 鈥� Studies demonstrate a connection between improvements in IAQ 鈥� either from increased outdoor air ventilation rates or from the removal of pollution sources 鈥� and improved performance of children and adults.

An important component of the LEED certification is the section designed to reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions indoors. These emissions can damage air quality and human health, according to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

LEED Planning Logistics

With USGBC transitioning to LEED v4.1, facility planners and managers for school districts have a golden opportunity to pursue certification, as the updated standards make several environmental credits more accessible. Project managers will have an easier time actually finding materials and building products that are compliant.

LEED v4.1 will remain in a pilot phase through early 2020 at the least. Until then, ongoing projects can opt into being evaluated using the LEED v4.1 standards on a credit-by-credit basis. This gives project teams the flexibility to use the LEED version they find most beneficial.

Communication and Record-Keeping

Local governments can end up spending hundreds of millions of dollars building new educational facilities. Although the funding bodies might balk at the idea of going green on a project, fearing it will inflate the cost, using basic green construction techniques and materials can be done without drastically increasing the bottom line.

Even better, green building practices focus on energy efficiency and durability. This means long-term budget savings on energy and maintenance costs and a higher ROI over the life of the facility.

When pursuing LEED certification, project managers must have practices in place to help ensure proper communication and record-keeping or face the prospect of failure. This starts with an ongoing dialogue among all the stakeholders 鈥� project owners and managers, designers and contractors 鈥� to establish a clear plan for using the right materials and processes.

Detailed record-keeping is also a requirement. Not having an adequate system in place allowing day-to-day tracking and recording of materials and processes used is a recipe for failure. Given the scale of educational facility construction, attempting to reconstruct a record of materials and processes used during a project covering years is virtually impossible. Without this documentation, efforts to achieve any sort of third-party certification for the project will not be successful.

Summing It Up

Green building practices matter in educational facilities. The built environment of schools can affect student performance and health for better or worse, especially when it comes to indoor air quality issues.

Receiving LEED certification for a project means more than bragging rights. It鈥檚 a pathway to improved quality of life for students and teachers, helping provide them with healthy facilities where they can work and learn in safety. Green building practices can reduce lifetime operational costs for educational facilities, increasing the ROI on what is often the largest capital expenditure for local governments.

Tommy Linstroth is founder and CEO of Green Badger, a cloud-based solution for equipping project teams of all levels of experience with the tools they need to document LEED as efficiently as possible.

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LEXINGTON, Ga. 鈥� Leading provider of facility solutions, ABM, has launched an Energy Performance Contracting program for Oglethorpe County Schools in Lexington, Ga., which will generate savings on energy costs and contribute to facility upgrades throughout the county鈥檚 school system.

ABM鈥檚 made-to-order solution will assist Oglethorpe County in achieving several large infrastructure and capital upgrades that Beverley Levine, superintendent of the听Oglethorpe County School System said they probably would not have been able to fund for several years.

The program will bring these facility additions and improvements with no upfront costs, while also producing what is projected to be more than $9.4 million in energy and operating costs throughout a 20-year period.

Energy efficiency improvements of the facilities will include retrofitting lighting systems to LED lighting, upgrades to all HVAC systems as well as installing state-of-the-art HVAC control systems, improved ventilation systems, roofing reparation, water conservation systems and installation of hand dryers across the entire school system.

ABM Technical Solutions President Mark Newsome said that the program will benefit students by enhancing their educational and extra-curricular activities.

This includes the installation of LED lighting systems at the high school鈥檚 baseball and softball fields, allowing the school to host its first after-dark games. The project will also provide funding for a new track, new scoreboards with advertisement opportunities at the football and soccer stadium as well as the softball and baseball fields. Furthermore, there will be renovations to the home and visitors field houses and concession stands, along with repairs to the bleachers.

There are also plans to build a large performing arts classroom by merging to two classrooms and installing new flooring, a ceiling and moving its existing electrical system.

Oglethorpe County School System formerly planned to postpone the upgrades until a bond had been paid in full in 2023, but a meeting with ABM representatives made school administrators realize they would be able to use the savings to address their facility needs immediately. Levine stated that ABM鈥檚 expertise provided the county with a financial solution to ultimately improve their students’ learning environment and athletic facilities.

The project launched on May 1, and is expected for completion in April 2019.

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JM Electrical began work on the schools in June 2016, starting with the installation of power and controls for new HVAC equipment (provided by Trane) for Oakmont High Regional School and Overlook Middle School, according to a statement by the firm. The schools will now operate in a more energy efficient manner and, in turn, experience minimized energy costs. The company鈥檚 electricians also worked to ensure the project was completed on time and on budget.

鈥淲e were pleased to work with the Ashburnham Westminster school system in upgrading [its] HVAC controls,鈥� said John Guarracino, project manager at JM Electrical, in a statement. 鈥淲e are always happy to provide school systems with the tools they need to operate more efficiently and create a more comfortable learning environment for both the students and teachers.鈥�

With no capital outlay required from the district, the project team delivered more than $4 million in much-needed facility upgrades, including a new roof, HVAC equipment, a biomass boiler fueled by wood pellets and a state of the art building automation system, according to a statement by Chris Marshall, general manager of energy services at New England Trane.

In addition, Trane has guaranteed energy savings exceeding $5 million over the 20-year term enabled by Massachusetts General Law CH25a, 11i, which focuses on energy management services contracts and will be used to pay for the project.

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