Transitioning to clean, renewable energy is a transformative step toward reducing your school’s carbon footprint and supporting global efforts to combat climate change. This START metric focuses on replacing fossil fuel-based electricity and heating with renewable sources like solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass. Renewable energy can be procured from a renewable energy provider or generated on-site through technologies such as solar installations, wind turbines, or biomass systems.
The shift to renewable energy is critical: globally, the energy sector accounts for 73% of greenhouse gas emissions (IEA). Schools that embrace renewables not only reduce emissions but also lower energy costs in the long term, create opportunities for hands-on STEM learning, and position themselves as leaders in sustainability.
Strategies for Transitioning to Renewable Energy
NOTE: This is not a prescriptive list; it just offers ideas to inspire action and can be tailored to fit the unique needs of each school.
Conduct a Renewable Energy Feasibility Study
Assess your school’s energy needs, available resources, and site-specific opportunities for renewable energy installations.
Evaluate the potential for on-campus systems like solar panels, wind turbines, or biomass boilers.
Install Solar Panels
Invest in school-owned solar panels to generate clean electricity and reduce utility costs.
Explore third-party-owned purchase agreements to host solar installations with minimal upfront costs.
Explore Wind Energy Options
Assess the feasibility of wind turbines for schools in areas with consistent wind resources.
Partner with local or regional wind energy providers to source clean electricity.
Implement Biomass Technologies
Use biomass systems, such as wood pellet boilers, for renewable heating solutions.
Explore partnerships with local suppliers of sustainable biomass materials.
Leverage Renewable Energy Providers
Purchase electricity from certified renewable energy providers or green energy programs.
Opt for renewable energy credits (RECs) to offset non-renewable energy consumption.
Adopt Geothermal Heating and Cooling
Install geothermal heat pumps to utilize the earth’s stable temperatures for efficient heating and cooling.
Combine geothermal systems with other renewable technologies for comprehensive solutions.
Integrate Renewable Energy into Building Design
Include renewable energy systems in new construction or major renovations.
Design buildings to optimize energy efficiency and complement renewable energy technologies.
Monitor and Report Energy Use
Use smart meters and energy tracking systems to monitor renewable energy production and usage.
Share data with the school community to celebrate progress and build awareness.
Seek Funding and Grants
Apply for government incentives, grants, or rebates for renewable energy projects.
Partner with local businesses or non-profits to co-fund installations or pilot programs.
Engage the School Community
Educate students, staff, and families about the benefits of renewable energy and your school’s initiatives.
Involve students in monitoring energy production or conducting renewable energy research projects.
Collaborate with Third-Party Partners
Work with energy service companies (ESCOs) or renewable energy developers for installation, financing, and maintenance.
Host community solar projects on campus to benefit both the school and surrounding community.
Set Renewable Energy Goals
Establish clear targets, such as achieving 50% renewable energy by 2030 or 100% by 2050.
Align goals with broader sustainability initiatives and track progress regularly.
Incorporate Renewables into Curriculum
Use on-campus renewable systems as teaching tools for STEM and sustainability education.
Develop hands-on projects, such as designing solar-powered devices or researching renewable energy innovations.
‘How To’ Guides
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Solar Financing Guide
From Gen180, guidance through comparing finance options, preparing a proposal, understanding needs and solar potential, identifying hurdles & selecting a developer.
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How to Go Solar: for Schools
From Gen180, guidance through comparing finance options, preparing a proposal, understanding needs and solar potential, identifying hurdles & selecting a developer.
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A Guide to Purchasing Green Power
An overview of green power markets, costs, benefits, steps necessary for procurement, product options, and financing options.
Additional Resources
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Affordable Zero Energy K–12 Schools: The Cost Barrier Illusion
From the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, a report on the costs of renovations and energy efficiency upgrades versus long term savings.
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Schools hold the key to a healthy, sustainable and regenerative future.
They are role-models and incubators that that nurture, educate and prepare each generation for adult life.
Schools have a unique opportunity and profound responsibility to become part the transition to a sustainable, regenerative future in which people and planet can thrive.
But how do we get there?
START: Sustainability Tracking, Analytics & Roadmap Tool was created by schools, for schools, to help them develop comprehensive programs for step-by-step progress towards sustainability, regenerative practice, and student empowerment.
START provides a Roadmap for School Sustainability:
It breaks down school sustainability into clear actions (‘metrics’), such as Minimizing Waste, Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and supporting Sustainable Transportation options.
However, research shows it’s not enough for a school to simply reduce its environmental impact.
Students and staff also need to learn about sustainability, and practice it in day-to-day activities, because this impacts their attitudes and behaviors when they leave school. That’s why START includes metrics like Sustainability Events for Students, Sustainability Course Content, and Sustainable Purchasing Practices.
How sustainable is our school now?
Schools use START to measure how sustainable they are now. A school’s START team investigates how their school currently operates to find their ‘sustainability baseline’ for each metric. For example, is our school a beginner, intermediate or advanced in sustainable water use? START enables schools to benchmark, track and visualize their current sustainability levels, as well as hard data around their waste, water, energy and greenhouse gas emissions.
Where should we go next, and do we collaborate for success?
What do we need to do to ‘level up’ in each metric? Once schools have their baselines, START helps them to set goals and plan for progress. START provides a central hub for school members to collaborate, document, and plan their school’s sustainability journey.
START is a subscription-based Whole School Sustainability dashboard.
It requires at least one adult school member to create a school’s START account, but it will need a team (students, teachers and staff) to grow a Whole School Sustainability program.
Interested schools can sign up for a demo or apply to set up an account.
Learn more about START here, and consider sharing the brochure with your school.
Let’s create a better future, one school at a time.
Contact us at guides@greenschoolsalliance.org if you have a free resource to contribute or recommend that can help schools take action around this specific sustainability metric.