Solar Schools: What’s Possible

 

Local Advocates Host Solar Schools: What’s Possible as Part of National “Sun Day” Clean Energy Mobilization
Tidewater VA Joins Thousands of Communities Nationwide to Spotlight Solar, Wind, and Local Energy Solutions

Norfolk, VA – On Saturday, October 18, Third Act and partners - Environmental VA, Sierra Club, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and VA League of Conservation Voters - will host Solar Schools: What’s Possible as part of Sun Day, the first-ever nationwide day of action calling for the large-scale deployment of clean energy that is affordable, reliable and ready to go. 

The event will feature a tour of Norfolk Academy’s solar installations and line up of speakers representing Norfolk Academy teachers, parents, and students, VA Beach Public Schools Energy Manager, and solar companies and installers. If you have questions about how to finance and install solar at your school, the speakers will illustrate various ways Hampton Roads schools have made it work for them. Solar energy is now the cheapest form of electricity generation in history. Meet officials at schools in the Hampton Roads area that have installed rooftop solar and are now reaping the benefits in savings and sustainable clean electricity. Through thousands of local events like this one, Sun Day aims to demonstrate the overwhelming public support for renewable energy and build momentum for policy changes needed to address climate change. 

Who: Officials from Norfolk Academy, VA Beach School District; Solar Installers; Students and Teachers in Schools with Solar Installations.
What: The Sun Day event will include a solar tour, program and raffle for a free copy of Bill McKibben’s new book, Here Comes the Sun! about the global clean energy revolution.
Where: Norfolk Academy, 1585 Wesleyan Dr, Norfolk, VA 23502 US
When: October 18, Saturday, 10:30 - Noon
Contact: Susan Feathers; tidewaterthirdact@gmail.com; 520-400-4117; or Nathan Goldin, tidewaterthirdact@gmail.com, 757-876-1992
Click to Register

 

Our Partner Websites

Chesapeake Climate Action Network CCAN

Coastal Virginia Sierra Club

 

Environment VA

 

Third Act Virginia

VA League of Conservation Voters

 

                                                                 


 

                      

 

Resource Links for Attendees at Solar Schools Event

 

Virginia Beach Public Solar Schools
 

Rewiring America

 

HR Climate Hub

 

Generation 180

 

 

LINK to Template and Spreadsheets

 

Sample LLC operating agreements and sample PPAs (several attached with different levels of complexity, and some older ones here, https://solar.the-mcelroys.com/index.html)
Instructions on how to form an LLC 
Payoff spreadsheet (I have a general one attached, as well as a sample one for a school)

Links to commercial financiers (some below)
 
Seems like we should also give them access to the slides from the presentation (not the background one).
I do actually (having thought about it) think that it would be good to have the link to Norfolk Solar Solutions, as we are willing to work with investors to help them invest.
And I like keeping the Rewiring America link.
Should have something about the difference between single-member and multi-member LLCs, that with multi-member the credit has to be taken against passive income, and with single-member it does not, like this:
General info on single-member versus multi-member LLCs:
 
Showing that single-member LLC is considered earned self-employment income: https://beforetax.com/how-llc-members-are-taxed/#pm-multi
And that single member files on Schedule C: https://www.upcounsel.com/llc-tax-options
 
 
Here’s a bunch of relevant links:
Attached is a blurb on the joys of doing it, and also one from the point of view of working with investors (solar inspiration is mostly from the point of view of Norfolk Solar Solutions helping inspire investors).
 
Commercial 30% tax credit is valid for projects that start by July 4 2026 or complete by Dec 31 2027.


 

Generation 180 Solar on Schools information:
Free educational webinars: https://www.cleanegroup.org/
 
 
Commercial financiers
Community Power Accelerator (database of investors/finaciers)
 
See what schools in Virginia (in Dom & APCo territory) have done solar can be seen at the SCC pilot site:
 
Information on investors for schools —
Investors should be accredited, but that’s pretty easy.

https://www.sec.gov/resources-small-businesses/capital-raising-building-blocks/accredited-investors

  • Net worth over $1 million, excluding primary residence (individually or with spouse or partner)
  • Income over $200,000 (individually) or $300,000 (with spouse or partner) in each of the prior two years, and reasonably expects the same for the current year
 
Another idea for investing besides parents and alumni and interested community members are donor-advised funds.
Donor advised funds such as at