As of September 2014, there were more than 3,700 solar energy systems located on public and private K-12 schools in the U.S., according to a report released by . The solar movement is becoming so strong that now new construction projects integrate solar into part of the initial plan, as opposed to retrofitting schools to include solar. 91视频 spoke with Jim Rice, CEO of , a Summit, N.J.-based company that delivers full-service expertise on solar electric projects across the U.S., about the future of solar power at schools for the upcoming school year.

Q: Why are schools starting to go solar?

Rice: Nautilus Solar was founded in 2006, and schools were some of the early adopters for a couple of key reasons. It all comes down to the almighty buck. Our core value that we provide schools is the ability to save them costs on their power bills. School infrastructure is always a challenge, so we’re investing in the infrastructure and then saving them money.

Another reason is that they have broader social purpose, and they all have sustainability goals. Because schools serve as key elements in the community, the idea is that they’re promoting sustainability, and then saving money is big proponent.

The last reason is educational. The ability to have a solar system and then teach a curriculum around it is a real benefit for schools. We developed a K-12 curriculum for schools, and many found value in it.

Q: Are there specific areas of the country where solar is more popular for schools, and why?

Rice: The top five areas are California, New Jersey, Arizona, Massachusetts and Nevada. In all of them, the amount of solar resource is good. They also have a supportive regulatory environment, and that combination means that they are tremendous targets for solar. What’s even more exciting is if you look at the list of schools that can save money, the list goes way beyond those states.

Q: How does going solar affect maintenance and operations at a school?

Rice: If the system is on the roof, you have to make sure the roof is high enough quality and strong enough to hold a solar facility. The good news is that systems have gotten better and lighter. If they’re located in a parking lot, a lot of the maintenance and operations could be based on clearing snow. Basic maintenance involves washing the modules, and then you have semiannual maintenance of inverters and other components. We’re monitoring output remotely, so if we see them go down, we have visibility.

Q: What tends to be the most popular placement for solar panels at a school, and why?

Rice: Definitely the roof. When you’re up on the roof, you’re away from things like vandalism. By far the best location as far as schools go is large flat roofs, and that’s how most schools are designed across America.

Q: How does Nautilus Solar standout for schools in the solar energy market?

Rice: For Nautilus, it’s been our core market since day one. Our team has worked with multiple schools in multiple locations. I think that we really understand some of the challenges that schools have as far as the deployment of solar, even to the point of school board decision-making and parts of the permitting solutions. We’re a total solar solution provider, and we spend a lot of time understanding challenges that schools have. For example, [we understand] how to schedule construction so that it’s not interfering with the student population, from a safety and distraction perspective. We do the offset management as well, so we give schools comfort that an experienced entity will be there for the long term. We’ll continue to focus on schools, and it will be one of the primary markets for us.

The post Q&A: Back to School with Solar appeared first on 91视频.

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"We’re hesitant to let legislators cut anything more," joked the host.

The ceremony, which took place at Piedmont Hills High School, marked the completion of a 7.1-megawatt project at 13 sites at the East Side Union High School District in San Jose, Calif., that is expected to generate $43 million in savings.

The new solar energy system and the additional efficiency upgrades are expected to generate savings in the first year equal to the funding required for about 30 teacher jobs, and to improve the learning environment, said Lan Nguyen, president of the East Side Union High School District Board.

"At a time when our district is being forced to absorb painful budget cuts, due to the continued economic downturn, this program is a huge reason to celebrate," Nguyen said.

The school district occupies a 180-square-mile area of San Jose and serves about 24,000 students at its 18 high schools.
District officials expect the program to offset its yearly electrical usage by more than 55 percent, which will allow them to reduce their purchase of utility power and, as a result, reduce carbon emissions by more than 4,900 metric tons.

Environmental awareness and energy consciousness will also be tied into the curriculum, with resources provided by Chevron Energy Solutions, who designed and constructed the project.

The company will operate, maintain, measure and guarantee the solar system’s performance for the district.
In addition to the solar panels, the company engineered and installed lighting upgrades and efficiency motors, among other upgrades.

"The district is creating critical budget relief in an economic environment, which demands creative, responsible strategies," said Jim Davis, president of Chevron Energy Solutions.

Tom Torlakson, state superintendent of education, said the goal for schools in California is to get off the grid. He said he hopes to see the project spread to other districts, in connection with his schools of the future program.

"The spirit of Silicon Valley is innovation," said Nora Campos, a California state assembly member for the 23rd district and alumna the East Side schools.

The money saved by the solar panels will fund teachers who can plant seeds for the future by training students to be able to get local jobs, she said.

At the ceremony, leadership student Kelsey Chan said the solar panels had a strong economic and environmental impact for the students.

"Youth are becoming increasingly conscientious about our environment," she said. "We want to do everything we can."

Chan said the on-site educational opportunities would be a great benefit to the students.

"In the current financial state, we didin’t think solar panels would be a possibility," she said. "It makes us as students more optimistic about the future."

Marisa Hanson, president of the East Side Teachers Association, she said was happy to see an actual solution amidst many complaints about the budget crisis.

"We can complain, or we can actually do something about it," she said.

In addition to funding teachers, the savings can also restore positions in the future, like librarians, said Neil Struthers, CEO of the Santa Clara and San Benito Counties Building and Construction Trades Council.

Struthers said the construction industry has been hit the hardest by the recession and that some have been out of work for two years.

"This district does things in a big way," he said. "This will lead to good jobs, and safe jobs."

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