In the state of Arizona, climate change and sustainability have become an increasingly prominent issue. Many different schools across the country are exploring different ways to reduce their carbon footprint and operational costs. One possible solution to this is to add covered parking with solar panels on top.

So, what exactly is solar covered parking? These are also commonly referred to as carports or canopies, with installed solar panels on top of the parking spaces. These structures not only provide shade and protection for vehicles, but also generate clean, renewable electricity from the sun.

Unlike traditional solar panels, these include carports. They make use of parking spaces, allowing for two different problems to be solved in one go.

Verrado High school is located in one of the most sunny states: Arizona. This state can get up to 300 sunny days every year, making it a perfect candidate for solar energy generation. With this much sunlight, solar panels could produce a significant amount of energy all year round. This would significantly reduce Verrado High School’s dependency on nonrenewable energy resources.

Yes, solar panels with covered parking is expensive, but the overall amount of money these two things save over time would allow the school and district to gradually get a return on their investment. Many schools have adopted this type of system, and have reported thousands of dollars annually in energy savings. Over time these savings can be put into different educational programs, facility improvements, and extracurricular activities. In addition, the school could take advantage of state and federal incentives, making this project seem much more affordable.

These structures could send a message to the community of Verrado’s educational mission about environmental responsibility. For example, the science and environmental studies curriculum could potentially offer students a real world example of using renewable energy in action.

Parking in Arizona’s heat for a long period of time is often a miserable experience for those getting in their cars at the end of the day. Cars that are in open lots can often reach dangerously high temperatures. This makes it uncomfortable and possibly even unsafe for staff, visitors, and students. Solar parking provides both shade and protection, significantly improving the overall campus life of everyone. The canopies would also reduce the need for air conditioning in the vehicles, indirectly lowering fuel costs for everyone.

By becoming one of the first high schools in the area to adopt solar panel covered parking, Verrado High School could potentially be in the position to become a leader in sustainability. This big step could possibly inspire other high schools both in and out of the district to do the same. This would be a perfect opportunity to demonstrate what forward thinking, environmental leadership looks like on the local level.

Schools all throughout the United States are already seeing the returns on their investment. For example, the Tempe Union High School District, which is also located in Arizona, has been installing solar panel covered parking across multiple different campuses; now they are saving millions in electricity costs, at the same time significantly decreasing their carbon footprint. Tempe Union High School District proves that it is possible to do this.

Solar panel covered parking is a win-win for Verrado High School. It promotes sustainability, enhances comfort, saves money, and provides different educational opportunities for students, in a time where environmental responsibility is more important than ever.

It’s more than a smart decision to adopt this new technology; it’s the right one. Verrado High School has always been known for looking towards the future, and installing solar parking canopies is the next step towards a cleaner, greener, and more efficient campus.