Collegiate School

The first K-12 school to install solar on campus in Richmond, VA

In September 2018, the Collegiate School began its investment in solar. Solar arrays on the rooftops of four buildings on campus produce enough clean energy to power the equivalent of about 100 average American homes, while avoiding as much carbon dioxide as would be sequestered by 164 acres of U.S. forests. Generating its own solar power is projected to save Collegiate $171,813 over the 35-year lifetime of the solar power system.

Making this impact through on-site solar power helps Collegiate meet its sustainability goals. When it comes to going green, the school follows the four guiding principles of the Center for Ecoliteracy’s “Smart by Nature” framework, which provides a structure for how educators can teach environmental sustainability:

• Nature is our teacher
• Sustainability is a community practice
• The real world is the optimal learning environment
• Sustainable living is rooted in a deep knowledge of place.

Installing on-site solar is a tangible sign that Collegiate is living up to and even exceeding its sustainability commitments. Solar arrays right on campus bring sustainable principles into students’ learning environment.

LIVE ENERGY MONITORING

Note: energy monitoring displays can take 60 seconds or more to load.

• Sharp Academic Commons
• Saunders Athletic Center
• Maintenance Building
• Centennial Hall