Governor Schwarzeneggar in California recently passed a bill that makes significant cash rebates available to people who purchase solar panels. I think we should make some rebates specifically for schools and school districts to purchase solar arrays or geothermal heating/cooling systems. Schools already have the real estate, ample roof space, and maintainence workers to implement and maintain such systems. They also have access to fundraisers and PTA's to cover costs. It could educate and stimulate student's and communities interest in "enviro-tech". It would help to relieve the energy crisis, especially in the summer when there is the most sun and energy consumption is at it's peak. Most schools are out in the summer so energy solar panels generate can go into the grid. AND on top of helping the environment, it will help reduce the utilities costs of schools saving each school hundreds of dollars per month for at LEAST 15 years (the mfr's guaranteed warranty on solar systems but they actually can last up to 40 years). When you take into account that energy prices will most likely continue to rise, it would be the rebate that keeps giving money back to education and helps to alleviate tightening state budgets.
I agree
No opinion
I disagree
Add your comment
I hope you like my first Why Not idea. It just makes sense to me but I'd appreciate some different view points! I liked it so much I wrote the governor. If you like it too I hope you'll consider writing to your governor or school district as well! If you want you can email me and I'll send you a copy if you want to just copy and paste. Or you can use any part of what I wrote but please let me know how how well the idea was received! (or how poorly)
Last year schools had access to Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, basically a 15 year 0% interest loan, for funding solar installations. There are also REPI benefits available to any producer of renewable energy. It is rumored these funding sources will be increasing in the next year. So, there are mechanisms in place for providing low cost funding.
I support the idea in a sense, but you should remember that plain old conservation is by far the least expensive way to cut energy costs.