Full Description
"The Inevitable Solar School: Building the Sustainable School of the Future, Today" describes the two major forces that are driving public and private schools and other buildings to solar energy. These forces are the recognition of climate change and the cost advantage of on-site solar energy. Either force would be sufficient reason on its own to change the school market, but in combination they become indominable.
Sustainability has emerged as a widely accepted theme in school building design. Daylight and views, indoor air quality, responsible life-cycle materials selection, and energy and water efficiency are expected features. This book adds on-site solar energy, sufficient in many instances to meet all of a school's energy requirement, as a critical element of sustainability. The zero energy school is the sustainable school of the future.
Contrary to common expectations, zero energy sustainable schools are being built at costs that are competitive with regional school cost averages. This outcome requires teamwork between school administrators and their design and construction professionals, and the use of deliberate planning and procurement processes. Five case studies spanning the U.S. demonstrate that the sustainable school of the future is here today.
Contents
Preface
Introduction
Section 1: Contemplating a New or Remodeled School
Chapter 1- What Do You Expect in a New School Building?
Chapter 2- A Report Card on Our School Building Stock
Chapter 3- Where Do We Want to Go?
Chapter 4- How Do We Span the Divide between Here and There?
Chapter 5- The Inevitability of Solar Schools
Section 2- Departure
Chapter 6- So, You Want a Sustainable Solar School
Chapter 7- Encountering Fearful Buyers and Obstructionists
Chapter 8- Solar PV Systems and Intelligent Schools
Chapter 9- Technological and Financial Hurdles and Resources
Chapter 10- Acquiring a Solar School
Section 3- Finding the Main Current: Case Studies
Chapter 11- Northern High School
Chapter 12- East Coast Elementary School
Chapter 13- West Coast Middle School
Chapter 14- Old Elementary School in the Sierra Nevada Foothills
Chapter 15- Southern Elementary School
Section 4- What Lies Ahead
Chapter 16- Technological and Economic Forces
Chapter 17- The River Ahead
Glossary
About the Author
Index
