A new U.S. Department of Energy report, “Solar Schools Assessment and Implementation Project: Financing Options for Solar Installations on K-12 Schools,” details best practices for financing and installing photovoltaic systems on school buildings.
The report examines the two primary types of ownership models used to obtain PV installations for school administrators to use in selecting the best option for deploying solar technologies in their districts. The report focuses on financial options developed specifically for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Some highlights:
- A look at the direct-ownership option, which takes advantage of financing mechanisms such as general funds, bonds, construction funds, and grants.
- A review of the third-party finance model, including power purchase agreements and energy services performance contracts. BD+C
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