SOLAR FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT FOR SEVEN HILLS

Seven Hills Preparatory Academy crowned our new gymnasium this fall with a 40 kW solar array, reducing the school district’s carbon footprint and providing economic savings and educational benefits.

Through a combination of tax benefits, energy expense savings, and participation in Xcel Energy’s Solar*Rewards program, local solar developer Ideal Energies helped create a unique financial solution for the school that didn’t require an upfront investment. SHPA can now enjoy long-term energy savings, while hedging against rising energy costs for the life of the array (~40 years). This roof mounted array will be used to offset energy expenses and provide opportunities for integrating solar into our science curriculum.

Carl Schlueter, Executive Director commented, “The solar array installation project aligns with our community’s vision and values to be good environmental and economic stewards and extends the strong citizenship focus of our school’s mission.”

Ideal Energies is providing SHPA with standards-aligned solar energy curriculum that promises to develop students’ understanding of solar energy, teamwork, and design. Aimed at elementary/middle school, Ideal Energies’ science-based module will also introduce students to STEM and other career paths while engaging them in true cooperative learning to explore and address real-world issues.