Community Energy Labs’ Post

Extreme heat is disrupting school and summer camp schedules across the Midwest and Northeast. Schools in New Jersey and New York are shortening days, while Massachusetts schools have ended their year early due to a lack of air conditioning. Summer camps are modifying activities to avoid peak heat, and legislation in New York aims to prevent students from entering dangerously hot classrooms. Alone, our infrastructure is not prepared for record-setting temperatures, but with the added boost of solar + storage, resilience is increased, keeping students, teachers, and communities safe. Commercial solar systems can help schools and community facilities offset high electricity rates with clean, renewable energy. Plans like Sunnova Protect® Business offer up to 25 years of system monitoring, diagnosis, and complete management of repairs. This approach not only supports environmental stewardship but also ensures a comfortable, safe environment for students and staff. More from Axios.

“I watched the weather for a week before school started, when I saw this heat wave coming. I was just filled with dread, because it's such a hard way to start school.” That’s Susan Eckert, a schoolteacher in Montclair, New Jersey. Her district is one of many nationwide dealing with extreme heat that’s canceling, shortening, or delaying classes. And it’s little wonder why. According to a recent State of Our Schools report, over 40% of U.S. public schools need new or updated HVAC systems. It’s clear: our schools need better infrastructure to keep students and staff safe and comfortable in a warming world. What’s the best way to do it? Electrifying. When it’s time to purchase a new A/C, choosing a heat pump instead is the way to go. A heat pump is more energy-efficient and cost-effective, and it can do the work of both a furnace and an A/C. It’s the all-around better choice, and it can play a key role in creating the healthier, more comfortable, climate-resilient spaces that children deserve. More on the school heat closures via Bloomberg: https://bloom.bg/3PghQO2 Our guide to help you electrify your local school: https://bit.ly/3g6wCZY

Here's another video of the series that we delivered last year to one of our clients, BC Hydro. They wanted to help explain energy concepts in a way that is fun and educational for K-12 students. You can watch the full series here: https://lnkd.in/gXRcTMVS #videoproduction #3danimation #animatedvideos

🏫 Modesto City Schools: A model for school districts to reduce operational costs, reinvest savings, and improve student experience. By replacing diesel buses with 30 new electric school buses and solar charging infrastructure, Modesto City Schools will save: - $250k+ in fuel costs and overall maintenance 🚌 - Nearly 2M kWh in energy consumption 💡 Learn how Modesto tapped into innovative funding to finance their sustainable transition: http://spr.ly/6048gox5r

Rankin County Schools are planning for the upcoming solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024, with several educational opportunities and safety tips for our schools. Rankin County Schools are encouraged to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for science learning. Parents, principals, and teachers are being provided information on safe viewing practices. The upcoming eclipse on April 8th will occur during school class time and dismissal time. Safety is a top priority since permanent eye damage can occur by simply looking at the sun without appropriate eye protection. All school sponsored in school and afterschool activities between 12:00 P.M. and 3:15 P.M. must therefore take place indoors, unless it is for educational eclipse lessons that follow safety procedures, and each child has appropriate eye protection. Class changes, dismissals and other similar procedures will take place- but students will be reminded not to look at the sun, as it can cause permanent damage. Parents, it is vital that you remind your children of all necessary precautions related to the solar eclipse that must be taken to prevent eye damage. “DON’T LOOK UP” is our motto of the day. Please visit our website for more information, including a letter from Dr. Rimes, permission slip, and safe viewing guidelines. www.rcsd.ms/eclipse

With so much happening in the world right now from the cost of living to the recent news on school buildings, it is easy to get overwhelmed. In this week's four-i we discuss focus and how to productively channel your energy and time. 🗞 Read the latest edition here: https://lnkd.in/eNhwkXbS

🏫 Modesto City Schools: A model for school districts to reduce operational costs, reinvest savings, and improve student experience. By replacing diesel buses with 30 new electric school buses and solar charging infrastructure, Modesto City Schools will save: - $250k+ in fuel costs and overall maintenance 🚌 - Nearly 2M kWh in energy consumption 💡 Learn how Modesto tapped into innovative funding to finance their sustainable transition: http://spr.ly/6040935vI

Building Energy Resilience in School Districts In the face of changing weather patterns, ensuring the energy resilience of our schools has never been more critical. But here's something that may surprise many school administrators: achieving energy resilience is entirely within reach, thanks to unprecedented federal funding. 💡✨ Explore the various technologies and funding options you can take to weatherproof your school: http://spr.ly/6042gDf5u

We understand that clean air should be a fundamental right for everyone, and 97.5% of teachers agree this is the case in classrooms. Learn how Fellowes can help provide cleaner air for classrooms: https://zurl.co/7pPk