Energize Delaware Solar Grant For Schools - How Does It Work?

The Energize Delaware solar grant for schools gives Delaware public school districts a way to install solar without drawing on local capital budgets. The program is funded at $15 million and covers all 19 school districts in the state.

Each district can receive a minimum of $500,000, or roughly $105 per student, depending on enrollment size. This guide covers what the grant pays for, who qualifies, and how to apply.

In this blog post, we will delve into the important factors that schools must consider when taking advantage of this opportunity to install solar energy. Here are the key features of this program.

TL;DR

• Energize Delaware's Solar for School Districts Grant Program offers $15 million total, with each of Delaware's 19 districts guaranteed at least $500,000
• Grants cover feasibility studies, installation, array components, and utility upgrades for rooftop, ground, or carport solar systems
• Districts must be Delaware public schools, join Energize Delaware's performance contracting program, and complete a feasibility study to apply
• Funding pays out in two parts. 50% on purchase order approval, 50% on installation scheduling
• Districts must report solar production annually for the first 3 years to stay compliant

What Is the Energize Delaware Solar Grant for Schools?

Energize Delaware’s Grant presents an exciting opportunity for Delaware’s 19 public school districts to embrace solar energy solutions. With a substantial $15 million grant allocation, this program aims to support the installation of solar systems in public schools across the state.

The Energize Delaware solar grant for schools is a Solar for School Districts Grant Program. Energize Delaware offers it specifically to public school districts, separate from the rebates and incentives it runs for homeowners and businesses.

Funding was budgeted for Fiscal Year 2022–23 and continues to support new projects. Grant amounts vary by district size.

Schools are good candidates for solar. They tend to have large roof areas, and in some cases, open land or parking lots that can support a ground-mounted or carport array.

How This Program Differs From the DNREC Green Energy Program

Energize Delaware runs the school grant separately from the Green Energy Program, which is administered by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC).

The Green Energy Program serves Delmarva Power customers, mostly homeowners and businesses — and has funded over 4,300 renewable energy projects since 1999. The school solar grant has its own funding pool, its own application process, and its own eligibility rules tied to school district status, not utility account type.

TerraSol has covered the residential side of this in detail in a case study on a Delaware solar grant application, which walks through how a homeowner used the Green Energy Program alongside the federal tax credit.

What the Grant Covers

Schools within a Delaware public school district can use grant funds for:

• Feasibility studies
• Installation costs
• Array components
• Utility upgrades needed to support the solar system

Successful grantees are offered a contract with Energize Delaware that sets the terms of the grant, including the funding amount and reporting requirements. Grants stay active for 24 months after the funding is allocated and the application is approved.

Funding allocation is based on student enrollment size

This program allocates $15 million in funding, facilitating the distribution of grants to 19 deserving school districts. Each district has the potential to receive a minimum grant of $500,000, equivalent to approximately $105 per student. [See chart below]

To participate, a school must meet a few conditions:

• The school must be within a Delaware public school district.
• The district must participate in the Energize Delaware performance contracting program to be eligible to apply.
• The district must complete a feasibility study before submitting a grant application.

Feasibility study requirement

To qualify for funding, schools must complete a feasibility study to evaluate the suitability and viability of solar installation on their properties. It is important to note that the feasibility study cannot be performed by an installer.

However, TerraSol Energies, a local partner, is offering DE Public Schools a free preliminary feasibility study for solar schools, which can help schools make informed decisions prior to receiving the official feasibility study required for the grant application.

This step matters because not every building is a good fit. Roof age, structural condition, and shading all affect whether a rooftop solar array will perform well, which ties directly into TerraSol's broader approach to energy-efficient building strategies, efficiency improvements, and solar work best when planned together, not as separate projects.

Find a solar installer

It is crucial to identify a trustworthy solar installation partner for your school. TerraSol Energies Inc. is a reputable local partner that can guide your school through every phase of a school solar project.

TerraSol offers educational seminars for students to learn about solar energy and the workforce development opportunities provided by the solar industry. TerraSol’s solar learning workshop can be added to the curriculum of your middle school or high school.

Solar system options

The grant allows schools the flexibility to choose between various solar system installations, including rooftop, ground-mounted, or carport systems. Additionally, the grant covers the cost of installation and utility upgrades, streamlining the transition to clean energy.

Battery inclusion

Schools have the option to incorporate battery storage as part of their solar systems. Batteries provide emergency backup power and enhance the resilience of the school’s energy infrastructure, ensuring uninterrupted energy supply during power outages.

Monitoring and reporting

As part of the grant requirements, schools must report the annual production of solar energy for the first three years of system operation. This reporting process fosters transparency and allows for the evaluation of the solar systems’ performance. Most installers provide monitoring software that simplifies the reporting of system production.

Evaluation Criteria

To determine the grant recipients, Energize Delaware has established specific evaluation criteria. Here are the key considerations:

• Building and Infrastructure: The age of the roof and building plays a crucial role. Older infrastructure may require additional upgrades to support solar installations effectively. Newer schools or those under construction are often better suited for renewable energy systems.
• Mounting Options: The choice between ground-mounted and rooftop systems depends on factors such as available space, orientation, shading, and aesthetics. The reasoning behind the selected mounting option is evaluated during the selection process.
• Energy Efficiency: Schools demonstrating a commitment to energy efficiency through weatherization and insulation measures are more likely to receive grant funding.
• School Curriculum Integration: Grant recipients are encouraged to outline plans for integrating the solar PV system into the school curriculum, fostering students’ understanding of renewable energy and sustainability.

Grant Disbursement Process

Energize Delaware will transfer 50% of the invoiced or contract amount to the school district upon documentation approval of a solar array component purchase order. The remaining 50% will be transferred upon receiving the installation scheduling date. This structure ties payment to project milestones rather than releasing all funding upfront.

Pennsylvania districts can also look at the first net-zero energy school building in Pennsylvania for a finished example of a school producing more energy than it uses.

How to Apply

1. Confirm your district is within a Delaware public school district and is enrolled in the Energize Delaware performance contracting program.
2. Get a feasibility study completed by a qualified third party. TerraSol offers a free preliminary version for Delaware public schools.
3. Choose an approved solar installer to design the system and prepare cost documentation.
4. Submit the grant application with the required feasibility study and energy saving calculations.
5. If approved, sign the contract with Energize Delaware and begin the installation process.

TerraSol Energies works directly with Delaware school districts through this process, from the initial feasibility study to system design and installation. Contact Ryan Drummond at 610-297-4203 or ryan.drummond@tse-solar.com with questions about a specific district's project.

Other Energize Delaware Programs for Delaware Schools and Non-Profits

The school solar grant isn't the only funding Energize Delaware offers. Non-profits and other public entities in Delaware have access to separate programs, including the Energy Efficiency Investment Fund (EEIF) for Non-Profits and the Performance Contracting Program, which uses long-term utility cost savings to fund efficiency upgrades.

Energize Delaware also runs a Solar for Public Libraries Grant Program with a similar structure to the school grant.

Solar Installation Questions

TerraSol Energies welcomes your questions. Simply contact Ryan Drummond at 610-297-4203 or ryan.drummond@tse-solar.com

Districts that want a closer look at whether their buildings qualify can start with a feasibility study. That first step is what makes the Energize Delaware solar grant for schools usable for any district ready to apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much funding is available through the Energize Delaware solar grant for schools?

$15 million total, split across Delaware's 19 public school districts. Each district can receive a minimum of $500,000.

Which school districts are eligible for the Energize Delaware solar grant?

Any school within a Delaware public school district that participates in the Energize Delaware performance contracting program and completes a feasibility study.

What does the grant cover?

Feasibility studies, installation costs, array components, and utility upgrades are needed for the solar system.

Is this the same as the DNREC Green Energy Program?

No. The Green Energy Program is run by DNREC for Delmarva Power customers, mostly homeowners and businesses. The school solar grant is a separate Energize Delaware program for public school districts.

Do schools have to report solar production after installation?

Yes. Districts must report solar production on an annual basis for the first three years of system operation to stay compliant with the grant contract.