Colville Schools Turn Sunshine into Savings for Students

There is a new source of energy working behind the scenes at four Colville schools, and district leaders said they hope it will eventually mean more resources in the hands of students. Colville High School, Colville Middle School, Fort Colville Elementary, and Hofstetter Elementary are now equipped with approximately 520 kilowatts of solar capacity after a $1.5 million project was completed this summer, according to Superintendent Kevin Knight. The project, part of The Giving Grid program, came with no upfront installation cost to the Colville School District and is expected to reduce the district’s energy costs while directing those savings toward classrooms, student resources, and community programs, he said.

“We’re trying to take the community dollar and value and put it back into kids,” Knight said. “We’re trying to be frugal with the public dollar and make sure that, we’re spending money on kids.” The Giving Grid is a community solar initiative that aims to bring renewable energy projects to rural schools and public facilities without requiring those organizations to shoulder the upfront installation costs. The idea was first presented to Knight roughly a year-and-a-half ago, he said. The concept was simple: install solar systems on school buildings, reduce the amount the district spends on traditional electricity, and use the resulting savings to support students. Knight said the district only pays for the solar energy the systems produce at a rate below traditional utility costs.

Installation began around the end of June and early July, with crews working on each school for roughly a week and a half to two weeks. By the beginning of August, Knight said the panels were in place and ready to begin producing energy. He said Ellensburg Solar was able to complete the work without significantly disrupting the schools. “They just came in and went to work and completed the job,” Knight said. The solar panels will not eliminate the district’s electric bills or replace Avista as the district’s utility provider. Instead, Knight said the systems will offset a portion of the electricity the district purchases from Avista.

Knight estimated the project could eventually save approximately $10,000 per building each year, or roughly $40,000 annually across the four schools, although the district will have a clearer picture of the actual energy production after the systems have been operating for several months. The larger projection is even more significant. According to The Giving Grid, the Colville project is projected to save the district approximately $4 million in energy costs over the life of the systems. During the first 10 years, the savings are designated for student-related needs. That could mean additional curriculum, computers, meals, snacks, backpacks, classroom resources, or other programs designed to support students. “I still need to spend it,” Knight explained. “I just get to spend it in a different way. And the way that I have to spend it is on kids, which is why I’m here.” For a school district, finding ways to reduce ongoing expenses can make a meaningful difference.

Knight pointed out that utilities are just one of many costs districts have to manage, along with transportation, insurance, and the day-to-day expenses of keeping four schools operating. Any reduction in those costs can create additional flexibility elsewhere. “We have a lot of hidden costs when running a school district,” Knight said. “If we can make those bills less so we can spend more money towards kids, that’s what we want to do.” The project also brings an educational component to the district. When representatives from Zero Emissions Northwest, a partner of The Giving Grid, visited Colville during the development of the project, they met with students in the high school electronics program, Knight said. The organization also donated a solar panel to the class, giving students an opportunity to learn about solar technology in a hands-on way.

Knight said representatives from Zero Emissions Northwest have also offered to return to Colville to speak with students about solar energy and other projects. For students interested in electronics, energy, construction, or skilled trades, the panels on their own school buildings can provide a real-world example of technology they may encounter in future careers. The project is also another step toward greater energy efficiency for the district and toward Washington’s Clean Buildings Act requirements. Knight said the district’s older buildings will not fully meet all of the requirements, but the solar project moves the district in that direction and demonstrates an effort to become more energy efficient. Colville is among a growing number of rural schools in eastern Washington participating in The Giving Grid. The initiative is designed to bring clean-energy investment to rural communities while creating financial benefits that can remain within those communities.