- On average, a school in the US spends about 6 billion dollars annually on energy.
- The perfect switch to save energy is using durable solar panels on school roofs which will save operational costs and promote development aid.
- Over 5500 schools across the United States have switched to solar panels (5% of all K-12 US schools).
When people think about solar panels, they usually think of the large panels in residential areas or corporations. This leaves out a largely untapped market for solar panels: Universities. They usually have large grounds that can be utilized in gathering energy and reducing electricity bills.
In terms of the overall savings and promoting innovation and enrollment, universities and schools can see many benefits of using solar panels. Educational institutions can lead the way for the rest of us by going fully solar.
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How Much Energy Does Schools Use in a Year?
A middle school in the US spends about $6 billion annually on energy. This calculation covers lighting, space heating, water heating, and other electricity costs. It is estimated that energy covers 2.2% of the school’s total expenditure.
Though it might seem like a small percentage, these costs can be significantly reduced by adopting more energy-efficient strategies. The data shows we are spending 25% more energy costs than required. The cost of solar energy has fallen by 99% since 1977 and is becoming even cheaper. These funds can be utilized appropriately in other sectors if we better mobilize solar energy.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost for Schools?
A regular solar panel can generate about 250 watts of power at peak performance, assuming these panels get at least five hours of direct sunlight. The daily requirement for a school is around 14 KW. However, there will be some energy loss during conversion and transportation.
To provide a school with about 300 KW of energy, they need to install about 900 to 1200 panels. The number might seem pretty high, but considering the available area, this should be feasible.
Why Make the Switch?
While a significant number of schools and universities have already begun investing in renewable energy, there are still many that are not yet convinced. Understandably, traditional methods are difficult to let go of. This is why we have the following list of reasons why using solar panels is a great idea for schools and universities:
1. University Roofs are Perfect for Solar Panels
Schools and universities usually hold large grounds ideally suited for solar panels. Furthermore, the rooftops remain largely unused.
This means that these institutions can house dozens of these panels without any storage issues. The open, flat space can be mobilized to generate much energy without disrupting day-to-day functioning.
2. Lower Operating Costs
As we’ve addressed previously, these educational institutions are spending a large part of their budgets on electricity bills. The solution to this is an endless source of energy: the sun. The most significant benefit of making this switch is that there are little to no operational costs for solar energy.
The direct costs you will have to face are the initial purchase and perhaps the professional installation. Beyond that, these panels are relatively low-maintenance apart from occasional cleaning. But not to worry, you can also DIY clean your solar panels with proper guidelines. This is thus a low-risk, high-gain switch for all the schools and universities.
3. Aids in Development
As institutions that empower students towards the future, it’s fair only if universities themselves play a significant role in development. If solar energy is the future, people first need to see it being practiced by reputed organizations to invest themselves.
Both schools and universities can propel change by being role models and encouraging the younger generation in the right direction.
Benefits of Solar Panels for Schools and Universities
It is always great to hear about the incredible impacts of switching to solar panels. However, for the move to happen, universities must see personal benefits. Being an initiator of change sounds excellent on paper, but will it be able to provide the organizations with any real gains? Fair enough. We have drawn up the following list of benefits of using solar panels for schools and universities:
1. Cost Saving
The primary benefit of solar panels is cost-efficiency. There are quite a lot of long-term savings that can be achieved with the use of solar panels. Through policies like on-site power purchase agreements (PPA), the solar energy generated can be sold back to the organization at a much reduced and fixed rate.
One of the schools in California that adopted solar panels is the Kern High School District. Over the next 25 years, this school is projected to save as much as 80 million dollars in electricity costs.
This can be an excellent saving strategy considering that the average cost of a solar panel system is only between $1.75 to $2.75 per watt installed.
Considering the large area available, schools and universities should have no problem installing as many as a thousand or more units. These can then shoulder a large portion of the electricity costs. Furthermore, these funds can then be better utilized in other sectors.
2. Durability
Unlikely most cost-effective investments that fall short in terms of durability, solar panels are here to last. They generally come with a warranty of at least 25 years and continue to function well beyond that. This will be a huge plus as the electricity costs constantly rise.
These panels can be your dependable energy source for decades as they are not prone to easy wear and tear. Furthermore, the lasting warranty means that any issues will be attended to immediately.
3. Boosts Enrollment
The world is becoming more and more environmentally conscious. Educational institutes need to align their goals according to current trends. Renewable energy is vital to students, teachers, stakeholders, and families.
Many schools and universities have made this switch. In terms of competition, green energy is also preferred these days. Making this switch thus can help attract the younger crowd and boost enrollment. Green energy can now decide whether or not a student will choose your institution over competitors.
4. Unlimited Reliable Energy
The primary benefit of solar panels is unparalleled reliability. The sun gives out consistent energy that is not adequately harnessed right now. But with these extensive grounds and proper maintenance, these organizations could reap the benefits of unlimited, reliable energy.
From durability, you can see that these panels have been built to provide long-lasting, energy-efficient lighting.
Future of Solar Panels for Schools and Universities
Awareness regarding green energy is growing fast. Over 5500 schools across the United States have switched to solar panels. Research conducted by the Solar Energy Industries Association reported that 5% of all K-12 US schools have switched to solar energy. Furthermore, the capacity has nearly doubled in the last three years.
The economic benefits are undeniable as the large-scale changes are visible. Even if we put the financial aspects aside, the growing efficiency of these panels and the environmental benefits alone are enough to push for this change. With how things are going, we can expect many other schools and universities to adopt solar panels.
