Since 2001, SECO's Texas Solar for Schools Program has supplied many small-scale solar energy systems and commentary educational tools to school districts across the state. The schools save energy while saving money on their electric bills, and the students learn first hand about renewable energy and energy conservation.

Each school receives a 1 kW system to 3 kW solar panel system, a web-based monitoring system, and several additional hands-on learning tools to enhance the educational component of the project as well as student and staff training. The grid-connected solar electric system supplements the electricity received from a utility company. During the installation, students are encouraged to participate as they are introduced to educational materials developed as part of the statewide campaign to educate Texans about renewable energy resources. The monitoring systems allows teachers and students to compare their solar production with other schools.

SECO provides teacher training after the system is installed, and teachers receive lesson plans that correspond to the renewable energy fact sheets. The lesson plans provide additional ideas for hands-on projects that use readily available materials and cover several areas of study. The renewable energy fact sheets and lesson plans that the participating schools receive are available to all Texas schools at the Infinite Power of Texas web site.

If you have questions about the Solar for Schools Program, please email Pam Groce.

Enter Our Solar Portal See the real-time performance data from solar electric systems we've supported throughout our great Lone Star state.

Maplewood Elementary School, Austin ISD

For specific information on the schools involved in the project visit these school web sites:

Phase I

Blue Ridge High School
Brookesmith ISD
Eagle Pass High School - CC Winn Campus
Hamlin Middle School
Holliday High School
Ira High School
Maplewood Elementary (Austin ISD)
Monahans High School
John Jay High School -(Northside ISD - San Antonio)
James Madison High School - San Antonio ISD
River Road High School

An additional 10 systems have been installed. Each system is a 1 kW system with a data acquisition system that allows the system performance to be viewed via the internet. This phase required the school to provide cost share for the installation.

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Phase II

Alvin High School
Bryker Woods Elementary (Austin ISD)
Cordova Middle School (El Paso ISD)
Canyon Lake High School (Comal ISD)
Dallas ISD Environmental Education Center
East Central High School (East Central ISD - San Antonio)
Junction High School
Kealing Junior High (Austin ISD)
Roosevelt High School (Northeast ISD ñ San Antonio)
Seabrook Intermediate School -Science Magnet Program (Clear Creek ISD)

Phase III

SECO provided cost share funds for the installation of 10 solar energy systems as Phase III of the Texas Solar for Schools program.

LCRA is building on the lessons learned and success of the program to continue to provide hands-on learning for Texas school children. Each panel array system will include a data acquisition component and will be connected to a website that tracks the performance of their PV systems as well as those in schools across the nation. Teachers will also receive specialized training on how to introduce and use renewable energy education in the classroom from the newly updated Infinite Power of Texas materials.

The LCRA worked through their wholesale electric customers to guarantee community participation and support at each schools.

Breham Middle School
Cuero Jr. High School
Giddings Middle School
La Grange Intermediate School
Bluebonnet Elementary School (Lockhart ISD)
Marion Middle School
Schulenburg Elementary School
Smithville Jr. High School
Utopia ISD
Weimar High School

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