4 Arizona Schools Go Solar

Four Tucson-area schools will soon be solar-powered. SOLON, a provider of turnkey solar power plants and photovoltaic (PV) products, will engineer, design, construct, commission, and maintain the operation of 1.15 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaic systems for the Tanque Verde Unified School District (TVUSD).

The four schools where the PV systems will be implemented are Tanque Verde High School, Tanque Verde Elementary School, Emily Gray Junior High School, and Agua Caliente Elementary School. The systems will consist of shade structures and rooftop systems and will provide a large portion of the schools' daytime energy requirements and consequently reduce operating expenses.

SOLON is providing these schools with the energy produced by the PV systems through a 25-year power purchase agreement and with the help of rebates from Tucson Electric Power (TEP). Under the terms of the agreement, TVUSD will have to pay for the cost of the solar electricity produced by the PV systems but will not have to pay upfront costs for the systems themselves.

"The idea to implement a solar energy project as part of TEP's renewable energy rebate program began with community input, and that initiative will positively impact our district and schools for many years to come," said Claire Place, member of the TVUSD Governing Board, in a prepared statement. "The solar installations will bring cost savings, campus improvements and educational opportunities to our students, staff, and community."

SOLON will complete the implementation of the PV systems at the schools later this year and early next year.

About the Author

Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • digital learning resources including a document, video tutorial, quiz checklist, pie chart, and AI cloud icon

    Quizizz Rebrands as Wayground, Announces New AI Features

    Learning platform Quizizz has become Wayground, in a rebranding meant to reflect "the platform's evolution from a quiz tool into a more versatile supplemental learning platform that's supported by AI," according to a news announcement.

  • red brick school building with a large yellow "AI" sign above its main entrance

    New National Academy for AI Instruction to Provide Free AI Training for Educators

    In an effort to "transform how artificial intelligence is taught and integrated into classrooms across the United States," the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), in partnership with Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, and the United Federation of Teachers, is launching the National Academy for AI Instruction, a $23 million initiative that will provide access to free AI training and curriculum for all AFT members, beginning with K-12 educators.

  • stylized illustration of a desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone all displaying an orange AI icon

    Survey: AI Shifting from Cloud to PCs

    A recent Intel-commissioned report identifies a significant shift in AI adoption, moving away from the cloud and closer to the user. Businesses are increasingly turning to the specialized hardware of AI PCs, the survey found, recognizing their potential not just for productivity gains, but for revolutionizing IT efficiency, fortifying data security, and delivering a compelling return on investment by bringing AI capabilities directly to the edge.

  • Abstract AI circuit board pattern

    Nonprofit LawZero to Work Toward Safer, Truthful AI

    Turing Award-winning AI researcher Yoshua Bengio has launched LawZero, a nonprofit aimed at developing AI systems that prioritize safety and truthfulness over autonomy.