Keaton PetersSolar power is coming to more schools in Austin, Texas, after details of a federal grant were finalized.
Austin Independent School District (AISD) has been awarded $15 million to expand its solar energy program, provided through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Renew America’s Schools Grant program, which will support the district’s efforts to increase renewable energy use and reduce energy costs. Construction on the project has officially begun and is expected to finish in 2029.
The grant will fund a project called Solar for Schools, which aims to implement energy solutions at 15 AISD campuses, primarily in historically underserved areas. The plan includes installing rooftop solar panels at 14 locations and building automation controls for heating and air conditioning that improve energy efficiency at four campuses.
The federally-funded project is expected build on AISD’s ongoing efforts to use more solar power on its campuses and reduce the district’s energy consumption and costs.
AISD currently has solar panels on 14 facilities, generating power equivalent to the needs of 230 homes. With the new funding, the school district will double the number of facilities with solar power capabilities and install energy efficiency upgrades.
These 11 campuses will have rooftop solar power installed:
- Allison Elementary School
- Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders
- Eastside Early College High School
- Govalle Elementary School
- Houston Elementary School
- LBJ Early College High School
- Norman-Sims Elementary School
- Rosedale School
- Sanchez Elementary School
- T.A. Brown Elementary School
- Widen Elementary School
Three additional campuses will receive both rooftop solar and energy efficiency control upgrades:
- Liberal Arts and Science Academy
- Mendez Middle School
- Rodriguez Elementary
One additional campus, Overton Elementary School, will have automation controls installed to increase the efficiency of the school’s heating and air conditioning systems, but it will not be getting rooftop solar.
To receive the funding, Austin ISD went through a highly-competitive application process. The Department of Energy received more than 1,000 proposals from school districts nationwide. Initially set at $80 million, the total funding was increased to $178 million due to high demand, with the money flowing from allocations in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. AISD was one of 24 school districts across the country selected by DOE in June 2023.
Additionally, the project includes efforts to make the upgrades a learning opportunity for students. Plans involve interactive energy dashboards and on-site learning experiences, allowing students to monitor and understand the new systems in their schools.
In addition, the solar power system will be configured to allow excess energy to flow back into the municipal power grid, potentially providing support during energy shortages or other emergencies.
Photo by Angie Warren on Unsplash
