NC GreenPower: Solar+ Schools Program

Overview

Solar+ Schools Program

About

The addition of the Solar+ Schools program came after 20 months of development and with approvals by both the NC GreenPower and Advanced Energy boards of directors and the North Carolina Utilities Commission (“NCUC”). This program provides financial support to schools that cannot afford a PV system and/or take advantage of tax credits. The Solar+ Schools grant covers all of the PV system construction costs; the selected schools should fundraise to cover any future operations and maintenance (“O&M”) costs. The Solar+ Schools program also enables NC GreenPower to continue education and awareness efforts around renewable energy in communities and provide solar technology and curriculum to both educators and students in North Carolina.

Purpose

NC GreenPower’s Solar+ Schools program launched in 2015. Every year, we provide grants for solar educational projects for K-12 schools across North Carolina, complete with a weather station, data monitoring, and STEM curriculum and teacher training from the NEED Project. Schools will receive a solar educational package that includes a fully-funded 20- kilowatt (kW) solar array, STEM curriculum, teacher training and more.

Eligibility

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_

Application Details

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NC GreenPower Solar Schools 2025
20-kW Installation Information
Information for North Carolina K–12 Schools Regarding the
NC GreenPower Solar+ Schools Grant Application
Friday, May 30th, 11:59 PM EDT
Application Period Closes
Contents
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................................... 2
NC GreenPower’s Mission ............................................................................................................................................... 2
About the Solar+ Schools Program ............................................................................................................................. 2
Eligible Applicants ............................................................................................................................................................. 2
Evaluation Process and Criteria ................................................................................................................................... 3
Funding ................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Application Process ........................................................................................................................................................... 4
Site Selection ........................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Installation and Management Process....................................................................................................................... 5
Curriculum ............................................................................................................................................................................ 5
Post-Installation Evaluation Report ........................................................................................................................... 6
Other Important Information ........................................................................................................................................ 6
Timeline ............................................... .................................................................................................................................. 7
701 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 400 / Raleigh, NC 27607 919-716-6398 E info@ncgreenpower.org
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ncgreenpower.org

Introduction
This document serves to notify educators, administrators and facility managers at public K–12
schools in North Carolina that NC GreenPower is providing grant funding for the installation of a
20-kilowatt (“kW”) solar photovoltaic (“PV”) system with a weather station, data monitoring
equipment, STEM curriculum and teacher training. NC GreenPower estimates that there will be
funding for up to eight school grants. This document provides information about the program,
eligibility criteria, funding details, application process and estimated timeline. (See Eligible
Applicants section for additional eligibility information.)
NC GreenPower’s Mission
NC GreenPower’s mission is to expand public knowledge and acceptance of cleaner energy
technologies to all North Carolinians through local, community-based initiatives. The nonprofit was
founded in 2003 as a statewide program to connect consumers with renewable energy and carbon
offset providers, creating positive environmental and economic impacts for our state. All projects
supported by NC GreenPower are located in North Carolina.
In 2015, NC GreenPower launched Solar+ Schools, a grant program to support solar PV installations
at North Carolina K–12 schools. Contributions to NC GreenPower are tax deductible to the extent
allowed by law. For more information, visit www.ncgreenpower.org.
About the Solar+ Schools Program
The addition of the Solar+ Schools program came after 20 months of development and with
approvals by both the NC GreenPower and Advanced Energy boards of directors and the North
Carolina Utilities Commission. (NC GreenPower is a subsidiary of Advanced Energy.) This program
provides financial support to schools that cannot afford a PV system and/or take advantage of tax
credits. The Solar+ Schools grant covers all PV system construction costs, though the selected
schools should fundraise to cover any future operations and maintenance (“O&M”) costs. The
Solar+ Schools program also enables NC GreenPower to continue education and awareness efforts
around renewable energy in communities and provide solar technology and curriculum to both
educators and students in North Carolina.
Eligible Applicants
Public K–12 schools in North Carolina that are exempt from federal income tax under section
501(c)(3) or 170(c)(1)of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible to apply for the NC GreenPower
Solar+ Schools grant.
We expect that applicants will have the ability to demonstrate the effectiveness of solar technology
across a broad range of subject areas/classes. Applicants must own the property on which the
2025 — NC GreenPower Solar+ Schools Application Information 2

written
Applicants should not already
project will be installed or have prior approval from the property owner when applying.
have solar PV technology installed on the property.
Email the approval document to solarschools@ncgreenpower.org.
Applying schools should have the full support of their school board, administration, superintendent,
etc. for both the installation of the PV system and teachers attending curriculum training.
Applicants should demonstrate that the school has educators committed to teaching students about
energy and the benefits of solar/renewable energy, monitoring the data from the PV system, and
integrating a deeper understanding of energy throughout the school.
Schools must be located in North Carolina and be served by one of these North Carolina electric
utili•ti es:
Investor-owned utilities (Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress or Dominion
•
Energy North Carolina)
•
North Carolina’s electric cooperatives
ElectriCities of North Carolina members
Evaluation Process and Criteria
All applications will be evaluated by NC GreenPower to determine whether the project and
fundraising are feasible at the school. Selections will be made with the following considerations in
min•d :
•
Applicant schools should not already have solar technology installed on school property.
Applicant schools are required to be in Tier 1 or Tier 2 counties as defined by the NC
•
Department of Commerce as those that are most economically distressed.
•
Applicant schools should be highly motivated to teach about energy and renewables.
Applicant schools should be able to demonstrate their ability to integrate the solar PV
•
project into their curriculum.
Applicant schools will be required to do a Post-Installation Evaluation to assess both the
•
environmental and educational benefits of the solar PV system.
The NC GreenPower Board Review Committee will strive to achieve geographic balance and
diversity among grant awardees, if possible.
Applicants selected for the Solar+ Schools program will receive an award notice via email. Schools
should contact their district facilities office and/or local school boards/commissions in advance of
the award notice for approval to participate, as schools will only have two weeks to accept the
grant.
2025 — NC GreenPower Solar+ Schools Application Information 3

Funding
NC GreenPower estimates that there will be funding for up to eight school grants for this year’s
all of
program. The total number of awards will depend on donations made to the program. NC
GreenPower’s grant will pay for each project’s construction costs. Schools should raise $3,500
to cover any future O&M costs. The school or PTA will need to raise and collect the funds and then
retain them for future use for O&M.
Schools shall have all rights to the ownership of any and all renewable energy certificates (“RECs”)
associated with the electric generation of the PV system. The term “REC” shall encompass any and
all environmental attributes associated with the renewable generation. NC GreenPower will not
assume ownership of these RECs.
Application Process
11:59 PM
NC GreenPower, in its sole and absolute discretion, may accept or reject an application for any
EDT on Friday, May 30, 2025
reason. Please submit the completed Solar+ Schools application via the below link by
Solar+ Schools Question – [insert school
. Questions should be emailed to NC GreenPower at
name]
solarschools@ncgreenpower.org with the subject line “
.”
To apply for the NC GreenPower Solar+ Schools grant, please click here.
Site Selection
The NC GreenPower Solar+ Schools program is currently installing roof-mounted arrays with
approximately 47 panels. The systems must be installed in prominent, visible locations at each
school (e.g., front of the school, carpool line). More information can be found in this article:
https://understandsolar.com/big-expensive-20-kw-solar-system/.
NC GreenPower’s solar installer will assist each school with site selection. An ideal location will
maximize solar energy production, have good visibility of the array for both the public and school,
have convenient access to an electrical and IT connection, and ensure student safety. NC
GreenPower reserves the right to make the final decision on the location based on these criteria and
the school’s preferences. Any changes to the location may result in additional cost to the school.
2025 — NC GreenPower Solar+ Schools Application Information 4

Installation and Management Process
NC GreenPower’s qualified installer, NC Solar Now, will manage the installation process for
awarded schools. The installer will be responsible for obtaining necessary licenses and/or permits
and for complying with all applicable federal, state, and municipal laws, codes and regulations in
connection with the installation. To increase reliability and reduce maintenance requirements, the
solar PV system should be grid-tied and not battery-based. Additional wiring and equipment
related to the solar installation may be placed on the exterior walls of buildings.
The system planning process must begin within 90 days of execution of the contract, unless
approved by NC GreenPower. If any solar PV system construction or installation occurs before
application acceptance, NC GreenPower may, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine that the
applicant’s system is ineligible. In such event, NC GreenPower shall have no obligation to make any
grant payment to or on behalf of the applicant.
NC GreenPower’s solar installer will work with school representatives to execute an
Interconnection Agreement with the appropriate electric utility. Power output from the solar
installation that is placed on the electric power grid may be purchased by the electric utility
currently serving the school. Alternatively, depending on the utility, the school may be allowed to
use the solar power output on-site through a net-metering arrangement. The installer and school
will be responsible for working with the utility to determine which options are available.
NC GreenPower will pay the installer upon satisfactory construction of the solar PV system.
Curriculum will also be provided to the school upon completion of the installation.
School staff members should be trained by NC GreenPower’s installer to serve as the primary
providers of O&M services; these services should be minimal, and having trained staff will save the
school the expense of hiring a contractor except for more serious non-warrantied issues.
Completed projects will permanently display the appropriate signage/recognition of NC
GreenPower and any corporate sponsors who donated to support them, such as the State
Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) Foundation.
Curriculum
NC GreenPower will provide educational materials from the National Energy Education
Development (“NEED”) Projecton solar PV to fully maximize the benefit of having the system as a
teaching tool. The developed curriculum will consist of appropriate materials to engage both
teachers and students in multiple subject areas. All NEED curriculum is approved to meet North
Carolina Essential Standards for Science as adopted by the NC Department of Public Instruction.
The curriculum may include information on other renewable energy sources, as Solar+ Schools may
expand beyond solar PV in the future.
2025 — NC GreenPower Solar+ Schools Application Information 5

NC GreenPower will also provide curriculum training to educators from each awarded school;
training will be a mandatory requirement for a minimum of three and up to five teachers per
school. Educators will be requested to provide feedback and recommendations on curriculum semi-
annually through the school year so NC GreenPower can continually improve the program.
Post-Installation Evaluation Report
Applicants will be assessed on the strength of their plan for evaluating the success of the project,
including how well the Solar+ Schools program achieved educational goals. Within one year of
completion of the project installation, awarded schools must provide a Post-Installation Evaluation
to N•C GreenPower, including the following:
Monthly output of the solar PV system, compared with monthly total energy consumed by
•
the school since the solar PV project came online.
•
Summary of any technical lessons learned during the installation process.
Report of educational benefits of the solar PV installation, such as a summary of the ways in
which the project has become part of the learning/teaching mission of the school or any
•
curriculum developed as a result of the installation.
Summary of the environmental benefits of the solar PV installation shown in terms of
2
greenhouse gas emissions avoided, metric tons of CO displaced, number of equivalent miles
not driven, etc.
NOTE: Students are encouraged to prepare the Post-Installation Evaluation as a learning experience
in gathering relevant data and report writing.
Other Important Information
System Requirements:
The solar PV system must be: (1) installed on real property owned by
applying school, located in North Carolina with electric service to the site being supplied by
aforementioned utilities from “Eligible Applicants” section, (2) installed and operated in accordance
with governmental and industry standards and comply with the National Electrical Code
requirements, and (3) 20 kW DC capacity rating (on an aggregate basis). If applying school does not
own the real property upon which the solar PV system is to be installed, applying school must have
written authorized approval by property owner.
2025 — NC GreenPower Solar+ Schools Application Information 6

Timeline
The following are dates associated with the NC GreenPower Solar+ Schools program:
Application period opens .............................................................................................................. April 1, 2025
Applications due to NC GreenPower ................................................. May 30, 2025, by 11:59 PM EDT
NC GreenPower notifies selected schools ............................................................................ June 13, 2025
Deadline for schools’ acceptance of award .......................................................................... June 27, 2025
NC GreenPower announces selected schools ............................................................................... July 2025
School site walks with solar installer ........................................................................................ Q3–Q4 2025
Expected start/end dates for solar PV construction ............................................... Q1 2026–Q4 2026
The full application can be found online here:
2025 NC GreenPower Solar+ Schools Application
2025 — NC GreenPower Solar+ Schools Application Information 7