As students prepare to go back to school this week, some will be greeted by new solar panels on school roofs.
In 2011, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) reached a historic deal with AMP Solar Limited. Over the next 20 years, AMP offered to pay for the project costs to erect photovoltaic (PV) panels on top of 450 TDSB roofs. AMP would make money by selling power back to the Ontario grid through the Feed-in Tariff program while TDSB will get roofs repaired and a share of the future profits, estimated to be about $120-million by the school board[1].
The deal was a win-win for every party involved. AMP is provided the necessary area needed to install PV panels while the school board was able to start repairing the nearly $3-billion in backlogged basic repairs.
Despite a few setbacks, the project has continued on. As of 2014, TDSB along with their new partner School Top Solar Limited Partnership received 311 contracts from the Ontario Power Authority as part of the Feed-In Tariff program. A few projects have already reached completion like Norseman Junior Middle School which has received 616 solar panels on their newly constructed roof.
Arguably, the most important win is not the economic incentive, but something more substantial. By placing PV panels in schools, students are able to see a visual representation of renewable energy at work, enforcing the importance of a less carbon intensive world.
Beyond solar panels, schools are acknowledging the threat climate change has on our future and are also teaching students about sustainable living. The EcoSchools program was developed in 2002 by TDSB and shortly after, was adapted and expanded the program to become Ontario EcoSchools. EcoSchools issues “report cards” to each institution and schools are ranked on their environmental initiatives. Included in the assessments are simple things like turning off of lights and computer monitors at day end and recycling efforts. Large-scale infrastructure projects can and often do count toward the assessment. EcoSchool certification is now a source of pride for educational institutions in Ontario, like LEED is to architecture. Schools with high platinum and gold rankings are increasing year-to-year, demonstrating the effectiveness of the program. Moreover, students are actively involved in the process and learning how to be environmental stewards
The collective efforts of the TDSB, as well as other community-institutions, and the government of Ontario, (FIT program), is not only paving the way for an economically viable and environmentally conscious future, it is also instilling the value of our planet into the minds of the next generation. The first part of building community power is to build a community which is educated in environmental issues, and this is the biggest win out of this partnership.
Header photo provided by Flicker