Have a conversation with our Solar for Schools team
Free Solar Analysis & Technical Assistance for Schools
Generation180 is working toward a future in which all of our schools are completely powered by clean energy. Through our Solar For All Schools campaign, we are expanding access to solar by providing resources, sharing success stories, supporting and connecting school leaders, and advocating for stronger solar policies.
EnergySage provides schools, municipalities, and nonprofits with a free consultation, design, and financial analysis for a solar energy system for your buildings. We'll review and walk through your goals for solar, how many solar panels you can fit on site, how much of your bills you can avoid with solar, and how much you can expect to save with solar. If you're interested in pursuing solar after receiving and discussing your solar feasibility analysis, EnergySage will run an RFP for you, procuring multiple custom solar quotes for your school(s) from high quality solar companies in your area.
The first step to get started with this technical assistance is to schedule time to talk with an EnergySage expert. In order to generate an initial solar design, we'll be looking for a 12-month history of electricity bills as well as a description of the school buildings, roofs, and electrical systems.
Why EnergySage
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Unmatched, free educational resources that empower you to go solar with confidence
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Online comparison-shopping to help you secure the best deal possible
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Support from unbiased Energy Advisors, available to answer all your energy questions
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100% free and online - no calls unless you want them!
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Transparent information and numbers to guide smarter energy decisions
Have a conversation with our Solar for Schools team
Schedule a call-
100% free to use, 100% online, no phone number required
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Compare up to seven local offers
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Unbiased energy advisors ready to help
FAQs
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How many schools in the U.S. have gone solar?
7,332 schools nationwide now utilize solar power, making up 5.5 percent of all K-12 public and private U.S. schools. The number of schools with solar increased by 81% since 2014, and now more than 5.3 million students attend a school with solar. Find out more in Generation180’s 2020 National Census Report on Solar Schools.
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How much should I expect to pay for solar?
The upfront cost of solar varies significantly depending upon how big of a system you install. Thankfully, there are many financing options that allow you to install solar for $0 out of pocket. Even if the upfront cost looks high, today’s financing options allow you to replace your monthly electricity bill with a lower, locked-in rate, allowing you to save with solar from day one.
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What solar tax credits are available for businesses?
The best incentives for businesses to invest in solar are tax benefits. At the federal level, the investment tax credit (ITC) provides a credit equal to 26% of the solar project cost. Businesses can also take advantage of either bonus depreciation or the modified accelerated cost recovery system (MACRS), which can also reduce your federal taxes by a quarter of the cost of your solar project. Many states also offer their own MACRS incentive for solar investment, meaning for every dollar you invest in solar, you’ll receive between 50 and 70 cents in tax benefits.
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How does EnergySage help businesses go solar?
At EnergySage, we take a consultative approach to helping businesses go solar. We’ll get to understand your goals for solar, provide you with an initial solar benchmarking estimate (to show how many solar panels you can fit on your property, how much electricity they’ll produce, and how much you can save with solar), and gather custom quotes from three vetted solar companies in your area.
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Is there any maintenance with solar panels?
Generally speaking, solar panel systems require little to no maintenance. For larger systems, an annual–or twice annual–cleaning can keep performance high, while some inverters may need annual filter changes and a replacement after 15 years or so. Solar companies can price that preventative and expected maintenance into the cost of your quote.
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