18. Getting it Done for Our Children: Helping Schools Go Solar
by Shruti Gupta, Investor Development Associate
"We are striking because we have done our homework, and they have not." – Greta Thunberg
Last week in New York, leaders from around the world gathered for Climate Week, an annual opportunity to showcase climate action and talk about ways to do more. At Sunwealth we’re reminded of this time two years ago at the 2019 UN Climate Summit, where youth environmental activist Greta Thunberg delivered a powerful speech to world leaders on their failure to address the climate crisis. “The eyes of all future generations are upon you,” she declared. “And if you choose to fail us, I say: We will never forgive you.”
As classes return to session this fall, students and schools across the country are finding ways to reduce their carbon footprint and fight the climate crisis. Going solar offers schools the opportunity to do both, while simultaneously creating energy savings and green jobs. Sunwealth is proud to have partnered with over twenty schools and educational facilities to help them access solar and all of its benefits. As of September 2021, with the help of our community bank investment partners, we financed the installation of over 2.8MW with schools and educational facilities; these installations will provide our partners with nearly $4M in lifetime energy savings while offsetting over 65,000 metric tons of carbon.
Here, we feature just a few of the educational facility projects in our portfolio.
Christ the King Regional High School, Queens, NY
Located in Queens, NY, Christ the King is an independent, co-educational Catholic High School. Sunwealth completed a 322kW installation in partnership with Solar Energy Systems, which will generate $420,000 in lifetime savings and over 10 solar job years. The project will also offset 8,000 metric tons of carbon over its lifetime.
Epiphany Schools, Dorchester, MA
Sunwealth partnered with Epiphany School, a tuition-free, independent school for the children of economically-disadvantaged families. Sunwealth completed two installations totaling 51kW with Resonant Energy, Boston Solar, and NuWatt Energy. These installations will save the Dorchester, MA-based school nearly $120,000 over the project’s life, while also offsetting 1,165 metric tons of carbon.
“The solar projects help us save money so that we can use more of our budget to directly serve students and their families,” said Epiphany School Chief Development Officer Lori Britton. “Solar makes a difference for the planet, and it’s making a difference for us right now.”
You can read more about Sunwealth’s partnership with Epiphany here.
Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, CT
In 2018, Sunwealth partnered with Sound Solar Systems and Connecticut Green Bank to complete a 231kW community solar project hosted by Sandy Hook Elementary to provide clean power and energy savings for the Town of Newtown, CT. The project has the dual benefit of exposing kids to what a better clean energy future looks like, reducing nearly 5,500 metric tons of carbon from the air, while also providing the town with over $300,000 in lifetime energy savings and creating 8 solar job years.
Auburn Schools, Auburn, MA
Auburn High School and Middle School pride themselves on their sense of community and giving back – which is exactly what they’re doing by participating in the clean energy economy. Sunwealth partnered with ACE Solar for installations atop both buildings, which will ultimately save the Auburn School District over $1M. The installations, totaling 576kW, will also create nearly 25 solar job years and offset over 15,000 metric tons of carbon.
Carolina Day School, Asheville, NC
Most recently, Sunwealth completed the first of two solar installations for Carolina Day School (CDS) in Asheville, NC. CDS, Asheville’s only PK3-12 accredited independent day school, believes strongly in community service and leadership. Sunwealth’s 125kW installation atop their Nash Athletic Center will generate over 5 million kilowatt hours of clean power, offsetting nearly 4,000 metric tons of carbon from the atmosphere and generating over $75,000 in lifetime energy savings for CDS. CDS will also benefit from a second installation under construction totaling 100kW. Sunwealth’s partner for this project was Durham-based installed Eagle Solar & Light. Read more about Eagle Solar & Light on our blog here.
Looking Forward
Around the country and around the world, students like Greta Thunberg are pushing for bold action on climate. As adults, we have an obligation to rise to the challenge, advancing policy and investments that reduce carbon emissions and support a clean energy future where all communities benefit. At Sunwealth, we are proud to partner with schools and education facilities, development partners and investors committed to doing their part.
Shruti Gupta is an Investor Development Associate at Sunwealth. She is passionate about environmental justice and equitable access to clean energy. Outside of Sunwealth, Shruti can be found gardening or looking for a good spot to hammock.