Students are heading back to school, which means spending money on supplies, books, and all the other essentials. But schools can save money by unlocking their energy-savings potential. Zero energy schools can use up to 80 percent less energy than conventional schools; DOE’s Monica Kanojia at the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy recently profiled the Better Buildings Zero Energy Schools Accelerator to explore how.
Zero energy schools are energy-efficient buildings where, on a source energy basis, the actual annual energy delivered is less than or equal to the onsite renewable energy produced. Learn how DOE is working with K-12 school districts across the country to achieve zero-energy, and some of the tools to do so, including:
- LED lighting
- Solar panels
- Solar orientation and shading
- Geothermal well fields
- And more!