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K-12 Schools

K-12 Schools
K-12 education is the platform for a generation. Schools can access our unique Throwing Solar Shade® hands-on STEM curriculum developed with leading climate scientist Dr. Jeremy Hoffman. Secure Solar Futures also provides curricula for both public and independent schools.
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Roanoke City Public Schools

At 10.1 MW, the Largest K-12 Solar Project in Virginia

Secure Solar Futures is currently completing a solar project at Roanoke City Schools in Virginia that will save the schools $60.2 million over 35 years, while providing schools with restored roofs under 25-year warranties, both at no upfront capital cost to RCPS through a Power Purchase Agreement.

With 10.1 megawatts of solar capacity across 32 locations, the project will be the largest at a K-12 school division in the state and is being completed in three phases:

A first round of 1.6 MW of solar at 6 locations was completed in December, 2024.
A second round of 5.7 MW of solar at 11 additional locations will be completed by the end of 2025.
A third round of 2.8 MW of solar at 15 additional locations will be completed by the end of 2026.

Along with developing solar power systems, Secure Solar Futures will also provide roof restoration at seven locations at no capital cost to the schools as part of its Solar PPA-R³™ offering. RCPS will avoid more than $14 million in roof replacement costs over the next 35 years, as well as avoided landfill costs of roof replacement.

In phases one and two, Secure Solar Futures is installing 9,766 bifacial (two-sided) solar panels, which generate power on both sides—directly from sunlight on top and reflected light from the roof below—increasing efficiency by 6% or more compared to traditional panels.

Beyond solar installation, Secure Solar Futures will provide workforce development programs to train high school students as solar power technicians, as well as educational resources, including standards-based curricula and teacher training for all grade levels and the Throwing Solar Shade® project-based learning program, offering high school students hands-on research experience in citizen science.

Strong project economics were improved by a $150,000 incentive grant from the Coalfield Solar Fund.