An initiative in America is using the ‘buddy system’ to encourage schools to switch to solar energy.
Solar Schools 2025, led by the nonprofit, Renewable Nation, is matching schools that have incorporated solar with those who may be keen, but are unsure of the process and cost implications. The nonprofit said that about 72,000 of the 125,000 U.S. elementary and secondary schools are solar-ready, yet just 5,489, 8%, had ‘gone solar’ by the end of 2017.
Renewable Nation Project Director Scott Stapf said: “More than nine out of 10 solar-ready schools in the United States have not yet gone solar, and the new app-driven Renewable Nation and its ‘Solar Schools 2025’ program intend to do something about that. Renewable Nation uses the latest technology to help American schools and homeowners better understand and act on their renewable energy and energy efficiency choices. For schools, solar power sends an important message to children about energy. It also saves money and conceivably can free up resources in financially pinched school districts that might otherwise be forced to cut core programs. Solar Schools 2025 will work with a modest number of schools every year, but its materials will be available via the Renewable Nation app to what may be hundreds of other interested educational institutions.”
