Virginia schools build resilient microgrids with solar power
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Roanoke City Public Schools in Virginia is pioneering a new approach to school power by installing solar panels and battery storage at its two high schools.
For years, the district has used solar to reduce costs and teach students about clean energy. Now, they are adding batteries to create microgrids that will keep the schools running, which also serve as disaster shelters, even when the power grid fails.
Jeff Shawver, senior director of school plants, explained that the batteries will provide power until diesel generators kick in, creating a continuous cycle. This initiative addresses a critical need, as schools account for 60% of FEMA-designated shelters in Virginia and half across the US. Tish Tablan of Generation180, a nonprofit, emphasized schools’ importance as community hubs during emergencies. The Roanoke district leads Virginia in solar installations with nearly 9.4 megawatts planned or installed across 29 sites.
These solar arrays are projected to cover 44% of the schools’ energy needs, saving the district over $22 million in electricity bills and $24 million in roof replacement costs over 35 years. The project also provides learning opportunities for students and teachers in clean energy fields. Virginia now ranks 8th nationally for school solar capacity, with 83 megawatts installed on 236 campuses.
