Solar Future Looks Bright for Seven Hills Preparatory Students

Recently, iDEAL had the opportunity to partner with Seven Hills Preparatory Academy in Richfield to help it reduce energy bills, shrink their carbon footprint, and provide solar energy learning opportunities to their students.  

iDEAL approached the school in  about installing solar panels when the school announced the expansion of its gymnasium in 2018. The gym’s rooftop would be an ideal place to install a solar array, and a solar project would save the school district money on energy costs as well as provide an educational opportunity for students. 

To fund the project, iDEAL helped the school take advantage of several tax benefits and energy savings, including Xcel Energy’s Solar*Rewards program. For the first 13 years of the project, Seven Hills will lease the equipment from iDEAL through a capital lease program. In the fourteenth year, the school will take over the array for the lifetime of the panels, which can be as long as 40 years. After the first 14 years, the solar array should save the school approximately $10,000 a year in energy costs.  

To learn more about the project and how it will save Seven Hills Preparatory Academy money while reducing its carbon footprint, check out the write-up in the Sun Current.  

For more information on iDEAL’s solar energy curriculum, visit the Seven Hills Preparatory Academy website.  

If your school is thinking about embarking on a solar energy project, the iDEAL team is here to help you understand your options. Contact us today.