Administrators want to see the big picture of any project, to understand the costs and how it helps improve learning.  Here are a few things to consider:

·         The solar classroom is planned from the ground up as a learning resource for the school and community.  Every aspect is aimed at providing a rich, engaging, learning experience for every student.  The curriculum activities are closely tied to specific, measurable standards.

·         The solar classroom is designed to be an attractive addition to any school campus.  From the gleaming geometry of the structural components to the color coordinated furnishings, the whole project is designed to reflect the cultural values of the school.

·         This is a significant system that generates a substantial amount of clean, renewable, sustainable electricity to the neighborhood grid.  It is an enduring social statement from the community to the rest of the world that the increased reliance on solar is a clear-cut and worthy move.

·         Instilling the value of solar energy at the elementary level is effective pedagogy for enduring results.  From the elementary years forward, every lesson will have some carryover from early lessons learned.

·         The solar classroom is intended as a 24-7 learning resource.  It is built to the safest standards for electrical and mechanical protection.  It is open and available to school and community users.  The online resources are available at any time.

·         Recent advances in solar cell technology have increased the efficiencies and lowered the cost of installing a solar array.  This translates to greater energy output and a longer lifespan for the cells at a more affordable installation cost than was available just a few years ago.

·         The financiers will recouped their investment in a few years.  At that time, the fiscal and power benefits of the solar classroom can transfer to the school for decades of paybacks in addition to the continued educational returns.

Any school can set up a token solar panel to demonstrate the power and benefits of harnessing solar energy.  But, why play with a model when a fully functioning solar production plant can be had instead?

Here is how it works:

The investor purchases the solar classroom and signs a Power Purchase Agreement with school administration. This agreement establishes a rate at which the school agrees to purchase the electricity that is generated from the system. This rate is set at equal to or less than the price your school is currently paying, thus saving money while protecting the school from future utility rate increases. The investor receives immediate tax advantages to purchase the system as well as a steady stream of revenue from the electricity generated, and therefore will see a positive return in between 5-15 years, depending on local and state incentives. After their costs are recouped the investors typically donate the system to the school, providing many more years of electricity generated to offset the school’s energy needs. All of this culminates to form a win-win relationship between the school, investor, and the environment