Idaho Power

Idaho Power's Solar 4R Schools program is designed to educate students about renewable energy by placing solar installations on school property. Energy generated by these small-scale solar-electric systems helps the participating schools offset a portion of their electricity bills. Each installation also includes a data monitoring system and curriculum package designed to educate students about solar energy.

Schools in Idaho Power's service area may apply for a Solar 4R Schools installation. To apply, schools submit an application that outlines their interest in renewable energy, how they plan to use the system and data in the classroom, and how it supports other activities in their school such as energy efficiency or environmental education.

Sponsored Projects:

Boise High School

Boise High School Teachers
Location:
Boise, ID
Grade Level:
9-12
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
3.72 - kilowatts

Completed in 2018, this 3.72 kW solar photovoltaic system generates an estimated 5,200 kWh of clean, renewable energy each year. Funded by an Idaho Power grant, the system’s high efficiency panels provide the equivalent to the usage of about nine barrels of oil per year. Educational resources, including live data monitoring, and teacher training from BEF’s CE Bright Futures program provide Boise High School with the tools needed to incorporate renewable energy programming into their

... Read full project narrative >>

Capital High School

Location:
Boise, ID
Grade Level:
9-12
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
1.00 - kilowatt

The largest of five Idaho schools to be designated a Renewable School project in 2007, Capital High School has more than 1,300 students, thereby providing an exceptional opportunity to expose a broad audience to the science and benefits of solar power technology.

Thanks to the project resources provided by Solar 4R Schools™, the school has the tools to build a dedicated community of renewable energy educators, to generate clean energy through their on-site 1-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system and leverage the system's performance data as an interactive educational tool to bring... Read full project narrative >>

Castleford School

Location:
Castleford, ID
Grade Level:
K-12
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
1.10 - kilowatts

As a Renewable School project, Castleford School strives to build a community of renewable energy educators thanks to the support and resources provided through their Renewable School project from Solar 4R Schools™.

The school continually generates clean energy on-site through their 1.1-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system while leveraging the system's performance data as an educational tool to bring energy topics to life in their classrooms. Like all Renewable School projects, energy monitoring services provided by Solar 4R Schools™ mad the live energy generation data from their PV... Read full project narrative >>

Community School

Location:
Sun Valley, ID
Grade Level:
PK-12
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
15.39 - kilowatts

In 2016, Community School was selected by Idaho Power to become the next Renewable School in Bonneville Environmental Foundation’s (BEF) Solar 4R Schools program. Thanks to generous support and funding from the utility’s Green Power Program participants and project match provided by Community School, the school installed a 15 kW PV system on the school which is estimated to cover seven to eight percent of the campus’ electric use. Educators at the school also received a customized renewable energy teacher training from Solar 4R Schools in Fall 2015, complete with hands-on science kit... Read full project narrative >>

Eagle Middle School

Location:
Eagle, ID
Grade Level:
6-8
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
1.10 - kilowatts

As a Renewable School, Eagle Middle School is building a dedicated community of renewable energy educators, generating clean energy through their awarded 1.1-kilowatt photovoltaic system, and utilized the system's performance data as an educational tool to bring energy topics to life in their classrooms.

In 2005, educators within Eagle Middle School received a customized renewable energy teacher training, hands-on science kit materials to augment the school's existing curricula, and complete access to the resources available on the Solar4RSchools.org website.

The PV system... Read full project narrative >>

Grace Lutheran School

Location:
Pocatello, ID
Grade Level:
PK-8
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
1.00 - kilowatt

As a Renewable School project, Grace Lutheran School is building a dedicated community of renewable energy educators, generating clean energy through their awarded 1.1-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system and leveraging the system as an educational tool to bring energy topics to life in their classrooms.

The system was installed on the school roof in clear view of thousands of cars that pass each day. The pre-kindergarten to 8th-grade school incorporated the live system performance data into several educational experiences, including newspaper reporting on the project, a website... Read full project narrative >>

Idaho Arts Charter School

Location:
Nampa, ID
Grade Level:
K-12
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
1.79 - kilowatts

Thanks to the generous support of Idaho Power's voluntary Green Power Program, Idaho Arts Charter School joined the Solar 4R Schools program in October 2011.

As a Renewable School, Idaho Charter School is building a dedicated community of renewable energy educators, generating clean energy through their 1.79-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system. At the time of the project, educators and students used the system's performance data as an educational tool to bring energy topics to life in their classrooms. The photovoltaic system consists of fourteen 128-Watt Uni-Solar thin-film modules,... Read full project narrative >>

Leadore School

Location:
Leadore, ID
Grade Level:
PK-12
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
1.00 - kilowatt

Leadore School is part of a small rural district located on a high mountainous valley with clear skies through fall, winter and spring. Snowfall is less than ten inches annually and prevailing winds prevent fog and long periods of cloud cover. Leadore School is the "Heart and Soul" of the South Lemhi County. The school provides a venue for education, entertainment and community involvement. With the high cost of energy, individuals, businesses, organizations and the school are seeking alternate forms of energy. 

As a Renewable School, Leadore School is building a dedicated community... Read full project narrative >>

Meadows Valley School

Location:
New Meadows, ID
Grade Level:
PK-12
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
1.00 - kilowatt

As a Renewable School, Meadows Valley School in New Meadows, Idaho is building a dedicated community of renewable energy educators, generating clean energy through their 1-kilowatt photovoltaic system, and leveraging the system's performance data as an educational tool to bring energy topics to life in their classrooms.

Teachers were encouraged by the attention renewable energy has been receiving locally and nationally and wanted to bring that knowledge about it to their community by integrating renewable energy education into their lesson plans. Meadows Valley hopes to impact... Read full project narrative >>

Notus Junior Senior High School

Location:
Notus, ID
Grade Level:
6-12
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
4.77 - kilowatts

Thanks to the generous support of Idaho Power's voluntary Green Power Program, Notus Jr. Sr. High School joined the Solar 4R Schools program in 2013.

As a Renewable School, Notus Jr. Sr. High School is building a dedicated community of renewable energy educators, generating clean energy through their 4.77-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system and leveraging the system's performance data as an educational tool to bring energy topics to life in their classrooms. The system was installed onto the roof of the Technical Education Building and consists of eighteen 265-Watt Solarworld... Read full project narrative >>

O'Leary Middle School

Location:
Twin Falls, ID
Grade Level:
6-8
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
1.02 - kilowatts

As a Renewable School, O'Leary Middle School is building a dedicated community of renewable energy educators, generating clean energy through their 1.02-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system and leveraging their PV system as an educational tool to bring energy topics to life in their classrooms. Thanks to support from Idaho Power, in 2010, educators within the school received a customized renewable energy teacher training, hands-on science kit materials to augment the school's existing curricula, and complete access to the resources available on the Solar4RSchools.org website. 

A... Read full project narrative >>

Ola Elementary School

Location:
Ola, ID
Grade Level:
K-5
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
1.10 - kilowatts

As a Renewable School, Ola Elementary School in Ola, Idaho is building a dedicated community of renewable energy educators, generating clean energy through their 1.1-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system, and used the system's performance data as an educational tool to bring energy topics to life in their classrooms. Educators within the school received a customized renewable energy teacher training, hands-on science kit materials to augment the school's existing curricula, and complete access to the resources available on the Solar4RSchools.org website.

The project reflects the... Read full project narrative >>

Payette High School

Location:
Payette, ID
Grade Level:
9-12
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
1.10 - kilowatts

As a Renewable School, Payette High School located in rural western Idaho is building a dedicated community of renewable energy educators, generating clean energy through their 1.1-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system, and leveraging the system as an educational tool to bring energy topics to life in their classrooms. Sustainable energy education is included in the school’s physical science, biology, technology and environmental science classes. As part of their project in 2005, educators within the school received a customized renewable energy teacher training, hands-on science kit materials... Read full project narrative >>

Pocatello Community Charter School

Location:
Pocatello, ID
Grade Level:
K-8
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
1.10 - kilowatts

Pocatello Community Charter School was one of five Idaho schools awarded a Solar 4R Schools grant from Idaho Power in 2007. A K-8 school with a focus on active learning, the school uses their 1.1-kW photovoltaic (PV) system to educate students and community members about the functions and benefits of solar power. In addition to producing energy, Pocatello Community Charter School’s solar electric system includes web-based, real-time data monitoring that provides students with an active, hands-on learning experience. Read full project narrative >>

Riverstone Community School

Location:
Boise, ID
Grade Level:
PK-12
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
1.10 - kilowatts

As a Renewable School, Riverstone International School is building a dedicated community of renewable energy educators, generating clean energy through their 1.1-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system, and leveraging the system's performance data as an educational tool to bring energy topics to life in their classrooms.

In 2007, educators within the school received a customized renewable energy teacher training, hands-on science kit materials to augment the school's existing curricula, and complete access to the resources available on the Solar4RSchools.org website. Energy monitoring... Read full project narrative >>

Salmon Junior Senior High School

Salmon JS PV
Location:
Salmon, ID
Grade Level:
11-12
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
3.80 - kilowatts

Thanks to the generous support of Idaho Power's voluntary Green Power Program, Salmon Junior Senior High School joined the Solar 4R Schools program in spring of 2016. As a Renewable School, Salmon Junior Senior High School is building a dedicated community of renewable energy educators, generating clean energy through their 3.8-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system, and leveraging the system's performance data as an educational tool to bring energy topics to life in their classrooms.

Energy monitoring provided to the school has connected the... Read full project narrative >>

St. Mary's School Boise

Location:
Boise, ID
Grade Level:
K-8
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
3.72 - kilowatts

This project was made possible in partnership with Idaho Power’s Solar 4R School’s Program through contributions from customers of the Green Power Program. St. Mary’s School is a K-8 school located in Boise, ID with the mission to provide a Catholic environment that instills academic excellence while preparing the whole child for life-long personal and spiritual growth, empowering them to become global citizens. St. Mary’s School is committed to... Read full project narrative >>

Trail Wind Elementary School

Location:
Boise, ID
Grade Level:
K-6
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
3.72 - kilowatts

This project was made possible in partnership with Idaho Power’s Solar 4R School’s Program through contributions from Idaho Power's Green Power Program. Trail Wind Elementary School is a K-6 school located at the southeastern edge of Boise with 698 students enrolled. In Spring of 2018, a 3.72 kW rooftop solar photovoltaic system was installed and generates an estimated 5,600 kWh of clean, renewable energy each year. Click on the links to view the 

... Read full project narrative >>

Vallivue Middle School

Location:
Caldwelli, ID
Grade Level:
6-8
PV System Size:
3.96 - kilowatts

On September 24 2019 11 educators from Vallivue MS in Caldwell, ID came together to explore renewable energy concepts through inquiry and hands on investigation. The day began with CE providing educators with a context of the advanced energy economy and career opportunities available to their students. Educators then engaged in a mini science inquiry unit exploring solar circuitry phenomena through best practice inquiry techniques, including modeling, hands-on investigation and English language integration. Idaho Power then provided a presentation on local issues in energy, exploring Idaho... Read full project narrative >>

William Thomas Middle School

Location:
American Falls, ID
Grade Level:
7-8
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
1.02 - kilowatts

As a Renewable School, William Thomas Middle School is building a dedicated community of renewable energy educators, generating clean energy through their 1.1-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system, and leveraging the system as an educational tool to bring energy topics to life in their classrooms.

William Thomas Middle School is one of the first buildings visible on the drive into American Falls from Interstate 86, and the PV system installation is positioned on its south side facing the town's main thoroughfare, Bannock Avenue. Although the system provides for a portion of the... Read full project narrative >>

Wood River High School

Location:
Hailey, ID
Grade Level:
9-12
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
1.02 - kilowatts

As a Renewable School, Wood River High School in Hailey, Idaho is building a dedicated community of renewable energy educators, generating clean energy through their awarded 1.1-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system, and leveraging the system's live performance data as an educational tool to bring energy topics to life in their classrooms.

Wood River High School was one of five Idaho schools awarded a Solar 4R Schools project from Idaho Power in 2007. Their PV system is positioned for maximum sun exposure on the southern... Read full project narrative >>