Solar Schools Act Helps Schools Install Solar Power Systems

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords announced the legislation to make it more affordable for schools to install solar power systems.

The Solar Schools Act will come following a day-long tour that will highlight Tucson’s burgeoning solar industries, installations and research.

“School buildings are used most heavily during the day, during the same hours that solar energy generation is highest,” Giffords said. “Making it more cost-effective for schools to install solar-generating systems will lessen our dependence on foreign oil and save money for cash-strapped schools.”

The Arizona Leadership Solar Bus Tour will include more than 50 participants who tour some of Tucson’s most significant solar facilities.

Business and government leaders as well as people working in the solar industry will take part in Thursday’s Arizona Leadership Solar Bus Tour. The event is hosted by Giffords, the Arizona Economic Resource Organization, the University of Arizona and SCF Arizona.

Currently government institutions, such as school districts, can develop solar energy in one of two ways: through an agreement with a solar installer who maintains ownership of the panels and who can claim an investment tax credit, or by financing the purchase of the solar system through tax-exempt bonds.

If school districts were able to combine both approaches, financing a solar installation through tax exempt bonds and claiming the investment tax credit, it would make clean renewable energy much more affordable.

The Solar Schools Act would allow schools to use proceeds from tax-exempt bonds to enter into pre-paid contracts for renewable energy. Publically owned utilities already are granted just such an exemption to enter into similar contracting agreements. The Act would extend that exemption to local government entities.

The announcement will be made at La Cima Middle School, where a solar power system was installed in February 2008. The 54 panels in the system generate approximately 15,000 kilowatt hours per year – enough energy to power 1.5 average-size homes. This solar system saves burning seven tons of coal per year and saves the release of 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

The system was paid for with the Tucson Electric Power Co. Green Watts program and is used as an educational resource to teach students and visitors about the importance of renewable energy.

giffords.house.gov