A recent study reveals a nationwide rise in schools adopting solar energy

In the world of solar power, we often hear about homes and electric cars shining in the spotlight. But guess what? There's another fantastic contender that’s embracing sun-powered savings, and it's in a very public space: our schools!

That's right—schools! A recent study by clean energy non-profit Generation180 reveals that the number of K-12 schools utilizing solar power has skyrocketed—more than quadrupling over the last decade and now serving a student population of over 6.2 million kids! To put this in perspective, more than one in nine students in the U.S. attend a school powered by solar energy. Together, these schools generate enough electricity to power 330,000 households. Plus, in just one year, from 2022 to 2023, over 800 schools hopped on board the solar train, with at least one school adding solar capacity every single day, according to Electrek!

It gets even better: nearly every state has at least one solar-powered school, with California, New Jersey, Arizona, Massachusetts, and Connecticut leading the charge. Tish Tablan, the senior director of Generation180's Electrify Our Schools Program and the study's lead author, shares an inspiring vision:

“We want all schools and communities, regardless of their size, geography, or wealth, to have access to affordable, clean energy."

Schools have significant energy needs, but with rooftop solar panels, districts can save on power costs and reinvest that savings into students, teachers, and the community.

And here’s an exciting twist: this transition opens up valuable educational opportunities! Some students even get to experience the thrill of installing the panels themselves, as reported by Electrek. To overcome installation hurdles, many schools are tapping into third-party ownership models, state-funded grants, and clean energy tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act.

Stuart Gardner, executive director of Generation180, aptly points out, “Too many schools are still missing out on the many benefits that solar energy brings to students, communities, and the climate." He hopes this report inspires even more schools to explore what’s possible in their districts and join the clean energy movement.

One commenter from Rancho Cucamonga, CA, shared, "I just checked satellite maps... Every single public school in my area has some kind of solar installed!" Another added, "The projects would pay for themselves in a few years, and then that money could go to teachers and programs that really need funding."

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