Energy Savings Performance Contracts can allow school districts to fund projects with little or no money out of pocket. A Technical Energy Audit can identify opportunities for mechanical, building envelope, lighting, and water fixture upgrades, often necessary due to aging infrastructure, that will lead to energy and water cost savings. These savings can be leveraged for lease purchase agreements, be combined with other grants such as those from the Division of Local Affairs, and be used to obtain matching grants from the Colorado Department of Education.

This presentation will discuss how these types of contracts can be structured, often upgrading systems that were already beyond their expected lives and creating a future revenue stream for the school. Sonrisa will review lessons learned from the Manitou Springs and South Conejos School Districts (both exceeding predicted energy savings), highlighting successes and hurdles that are typical of ESPC projects. It will also include a brief discussion on the limitations to including sustainable design features other than energy and water efficiency that new legislation, such as BEST, are making more accessible. Additionally, utility rebates offer opportunities to cover costs from integrated design to installation of efficient and renewable energy systems.

Presenter:
Sonrisa Lucero

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Solar Technologies and Schools: A Perfect Match

Solarelectric, thermal and heating technologies can be used in a range of educational settings. As fuel prices escalate and concern over climate change grows, the benefits (environmental, social and economic) of solarare becoming increasingly apparent to educational facilities; public as well as private. This session will highlight how the performance evolution of different solar technologies (electric, hot water and hot air) can easily be integrated into new construction projects as well added to an existing building.

The success of a well-designed, high performance solar energy system is to work closely with the facilities manager, architect and qualified systems designer and installer. This presentation will review the fundamental economics and operational characteristics of different solar technologies. The goal is to help procurement; facility managers, architects, project managers and other key decision makers determine what the most appropriate type and size of system, depending on space, budget and energy objectives. We’ll also highlight the various federal and state incentives available to educational institutions, as well as how the technologies work.

Presenter:
Jeff Scott