What is a Solar PPA?
Since 2015, the amount of solar installed at K-12 schools has tripled and the number of schools with solar has doubled, according to Generation 180, a nonprofit group that advocates for schools to go solar.
Despite this growth, only one in ten public K-12 schools have gone solar so far. The largest barrier for schools to access the benefits of solar energy has been high upfront cost. Now, with solar Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), this is no longer a problem.
By utilizing a solar PPA, Secure Solar Futures finances and installs solar panels for a school or community college without any upfront cost to the customer. Once the solar systems are installed, Secure Solar Futures operates the solar equipment and covers the cost of ongoing repairs for the term of the PPA contract. The PPA pathway is already being utilized at schools throughout the country, making solar a true reality for educational institutions for the first time.
How A Solar PPA Works
Part of a customer’s power will come from solar panels, but their electric utility will still provide the rest.
Grid kWh
Solar kWh
Utility
- Provides 24/7 grid electric service
- Provides net metering credit for excess solar power not used by the customer (ie, the school or college)
Customer
- Receives energy from both on-site solar arrays & electric utility (as needed)
- Enjoys lower energy service cost
Third Party Owner
- Finances, builds, owns, operates, & maintains solar power system
- Provides educational & marketing services
Excess kWh
Payment for Solar Power
Utility
- Provides 24/7 Grid Electric Service
- Provides Net Metering Credit for Excess Solar Power
Grid kWh
Grid kWh
Customer
- Receives Energy from both On-Site Array & Utility (as needed)
- Lower Energy Service Cost
Payment for Solar Power
Solar kWh
Third Party Owner
- Finance, Build, Own, Operate, & Maintain Solar Array
- Provide Educational & Marketing Services
Solar systems installed by Secure Solar Futures usually provide between 20% and 60% of the electric power used by a school or college. Campuses fitted with solar power will remain connected to the electrical grid and will continue to receive the rest of their power from the local electric utility just as they have in the past.
Solar equipment continues to generate power at high levels for 35 to 40 years, which means that a school or college can enjoy 10-15 years of free power after the end of the PPA.