Duke Energy Powers K–12 Schools with Solar Energy Grants

• By Sri Ravipati
• 09/23/16

A few K–12 schools in North Carolina will soon be implementing solar power systems and energy education programs, thanks to new grants from Duke Energy.

The for-profit energy company is investing $300,000 in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for up to 10 schools. The grants will be distributed through the company’s partner, nonprofit NC GreenPower, which previously ran its own Solar Schools program. Duke Energy’s initiative is modeled after Scholar Schools, which offered matching grants for the installation of 3-5 kW solar PV arrays at K–12 schools. Similarly, the Duke Energy initiative will cover the cost of the installation for rooftop or top-of-the-pole mounted PV systems at selected the schools.

“With a typical 5-kilowatt installation, each solar PV system is about the equivalent of planting more than 1,000 trees a year,” according to the program site.

Any K–12 school in North Carolina served by Duke Energy can apply for the solar grants through NC GreenPower until Dec. 2. Recipients will be named by Feb. 13, 2017. Further information is available at Duke Energy site.