Description
Book SynopsisThe 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. T
Trade ReviewZero energy buildings are a key strategy for meeting long-term energy and climate objectives. Schools are a great place to start as there are many good examples and they can be a great teaching tool for today’s youth who will become the leaders of tomorrow. The Inevitable Solar School provides a road map on why and how to build these schools, including extensive case studies that school administrators and designers can learn from. -- Steven Nadel, Executive Director, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
Mark Hanson has authored a visionary, timely and practical book on the implementation of zero net energy solar schools and buildings. As a professional resource economist, with extensive experience in the building industry, Dr. Hanson provides a motivating hands-on “how-to” book, with a wealth of technical, financial, and institutional guidelines as well as extensive case studies covering a wide range of school types and locations. This book should be mandatory reading today for school administrators, facility managers, business managers, board members, community members, teachers, students and building professionals who have the opportunity to evaluate and build a zero net energy school, including new buildings and retrofits. -- Wesley K. Foell, National Advisory Board of the Union of Concerned Scientists; past director, Ecology/Environment Project – International Institute of Applied Systems Analysis (Vienna); Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Founder and President, Resource Management Associates of Madison (RMA)
Table of ContentsPreface 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
