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Roanoke City Public Schools (RCPS) is taking a significant step towards sustainability through a new 25-year partnership with Secure Solar Futures. As part of this agreement, Secure Solar Futures will install 5.7 megawatts of solar power systems at eleven school locations while also restoring roofs at seven of those sites. Remarkably, this initiative will require no upfront cost from RCPS. This ambitious project is set to deliver considerable financial benefits. Over the next 35 years, RCPS anticipates saving $46.5 million, thanks to lower utility bills and avoiding the expenses associated with roof replacements. This initiative builds on a prior project completed in 2024, which added 1.6 megawatts of solar capacity across six schools. Combined, these two phases will generate a total of 7.3 megawatts of solar energy across 17 locations. The financial impact of the project is substantial. RCPS will avoid $14 million in roof replacement costs while realizing total net savings of $46.5 million over the system’s lifespan. For instance, Fallon Park Elementary School experienced a 10% reduction in electricity costs between September and November 2024, reflecting similar trends seen across other schools that have already adopted solar power. Jeff Shawver, Senior Director of Physical Plants for RCPS, said “Our first round of solar schools has already started saving money on energy.” Shawver stated, “After the quick success of our first round of solar schools, we decided to expand the program to additional campuses. The second round of solar will also help us save money on energy. But it will add roof restoration that will save even more money by avoiding millions of dollars in costs to remove and replace older roofs.” A key feature of the project is the installation of 9,766 bifacial solar panels, which generate power from both sides. These advanced panels increase efficiency by 6% or more compared to traditional panels by capturing sunlight directly on top and reflecting light from the roof below. Construction is set to begin in the spring of 2025 and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Secure Solar Futures will own, operate, and maintain the solar systems, selling electricity to RCPS at a rate lower than conventional utility power throughout the 25-year agreement. At the end of this period, RCPS will have the option to purchase the solar power systems at a nominal cost, securing additional savings for years to come. Over the project’s 35-year lifespan, the combined solar power systems are expected to generate 335,100,000 kilowatt-hours of clean energy. This is equivalent to powering 46,918 homes for a year, avoiding 225,137 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, preventing the burning of 250 million pounds of coal, and eliminating the need for 25 million gallons of gasoline. In addition to producing clean energy and reducing costs, the project will offer valuable workforce development opportunities. Anthony Smith, CEO and Founder of Secure Solar Futures, mentioned “Going solar helps Roanoke City Public Schools protect their budgets against volatility in utility costs. With new power-hungry data centers driving up electricity demand across Virginia, locking in predictable energy costs is a smart move. At the same time, these solar installations make RCPS a leader in sustainability, giving students hands-on experience with renewable energy and career pathways in the 21st-century energy economy.” “With 46.5 million reasons to celebrate, Roanoke City Public Schools’ investment in solar power and roof restoration sets a model for sustainable and cost-saving energy solutions for schools across Virginia,” commented Secure Futures’s CEO Smith. High school students will receive training to become solar technicians, and Secure Solar Futures will provide educational resources, including standards-based curricula, teacher training, and the Throwing Solar Shade® program. This program offers students hands-on experience in citizen science and renewable energy research. Through this partnership, RCPS is not only cutting costs and reducing its environmental footprint but also investing in the education and future careers of its students, paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future. |
