Solar Panels for Schools
Solar panels installed by Cromwell on Prairie Park Elementary School in Lawrence, Kansas.
Adding solar panels to your school can cut costs, boost sustainability, and even serve as an educational tool for students.
Many schools are choosing to install solar panels because it reduces their environmental footprint and helps them be better stewards of their community. But most Kansas schools with solar panels can expect significant savings on their monthly utility bills as well, freeing up space in the budget for other priorities. New incentives and financing options are also lowering upfront and overall costs, helping solar panels pay for themselves in less than a decade.
School roofs are often ideal for solar panel installation, and the size and cost of a solar system can be tailored to a school’s individual needs.
Want to learn more about installing solar panels on your school, or request a free quote and consultation from Cromwell? Contact us today, or call: 785-371-1429
Solar panels on the roof of the Kansas University welcome center.
Solar panels for Kansas University in Lawrence, Kansas.
A solar installation on Southwest Middle School in Lawrence, KS
Download the Solar Guide for Schools and Nonprofits
Installing solar panels as a school is much the same as for other buildings. But there are some important nuances, especially when it comes to finances. Cromwell has years of experience helping tax-exempt entities with the solar installation process — find everything you need to know in our free Guide.
New Incentives Mean Lower Costs for School Solar Panels
Tax credits help solar projects for schools pay for themselves much faster than they ever have.
Churches, Governments, and Nonprofits were historically excluded from tax rebates for solar panel installation but now, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act’s “elective pay” (often called “direct pay”) provisions, tax-exempt and governmental entities like schools can receive a payment equal to 30% of total project costs. Eligible projects include all costs associated with projects including solar panel installation, battery backups, and EV chargers.
Solar payback periods in the 5-8 year range are typical for schools.
A really exciting part of the new changes in the tax credit is it now has potential add-ons for business and nonprofit projects like schools that can increase the total tax credit even further. The value of the Solar Tax Credit (ITC) is the base credit plus all applicable add-ons; they are cumulative and not exclusive.
+10% Domestic Content add-on
The Domestic Content add-on is given for a project having a percentage of the solar panel components made in the USA. The required domestic content to get the add-on increases each year so this add-on is easier to get now than it will be in the future.
+10% If your school is located in a defined “Energy Community”
Census tract data is used to determine if your site qualifies as an Energy Community which can include those near a closed coal plant, brownfield, or other conditions.
+10% If your school is located in a defined “Low-Income Community”
Census tract data is used to see if a site qualifies by being in a designated low-income area. This is the only add-on that has caps on the total awards per year and is often out of available funds.
Cromwell Solar can help you determine what potential tax credit add-ons your project qualifies for.
Provided for information purposes, consult your tax professional for any tax advice.
solar for Schools Education Opportunities
One of our favorite parts of working with schools and educators is getting the chance to talk to students about solar.
When we install a solar project on a school, Cromwell always offers to have our knowledgeable staff come and talk to classrooms about how solar works and why it’s an important form of energy. Let us know if your school would be interested in a solar energy presentation.
Classroom Resources
Get your students involved with our classroom materials available for grades K-12 that provide activities and discussion points about our sun, solar energy, solar panels, and more. Reach out to learn more.
Fundraising Campaigns
Cromwell also offers customized fundraising campaigns to help cover the costs of solar panels for schools.
We’ve helped other clients design and carry out campaigns that engage their communities to raise money to support their mission of going solar. These campaigns can lower the costs of installing solar panels, and in some cases even cover them entirely, while giving your community a chance to contribute to your financial security and long-term health.
Solar for Schools Case Study: Prairie Park Elementary
Cromwell Solar has more than 40 years of experience installing solar panels in Kansas and Missouri, including large and complex commercial projects and schools like Prairie Park Elementary, in Lawrence, KS.
There are 250 solar panels on the roof of Prairie Park Elementary School.
These solar panels produce 22% of the energy the school needs.
Prairie Park Elementary School going solar has a similar environmental impact as planting about 1,500 trees each year!
Trust Cromwell With Your School Solar Installation
Our certified professionals handle all aspects of the job, from planning and designing a solar installation, to securing permits, to performing the final install.
Cromwell solar installation professionals bring years of experience to every job.
We’re proud to be helping local schools realize their goals of going solar, and we love being involved at every stage of the process, from initial discussions with your stakeholders to the final ribbon-cutting ceremony. We’re often asked to come talk to classrooms about solar power (which we love doing!), and we’ve even put together custom, age-appropriate educational materials that help students learn about solar power and show them why those funny squares are on their school’s roof. If you’re interested in exploring educational opportunities with us, just ask!