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New York school districts are increasingly converting unused property into solar farms, finding a way to reduce energy costs while putting more money toward student programs.
Schoharie Central School District recently transformed a former hayfield behind its campus into a one-acre solar installation, funded through a $2.4 million voter-approved capital project, with most of the money coming from state aid.
"The solar field will pay for our power, which right now our energy is about $19,000 a month," said Dave Blanchard, superintendent of Schoharie Central School District. "Now that’s getting paid for entirely by the solar field."
The New York State School Boards Association says the trend has gained significant traction statewide, driven in part by students pushing for greener campuses.
"School districts are looking at it more actively from an environmental stewardship position," said Brian Fessler, chief advocacy officer for the association. "A lot of that is coming from our students."
Districts are identifying underused spaces — from land beside bus garages to the edges of athletic fields — as viable solar sites.
"Maybe a solar farm next to a bus garage that otherwise really isn’t used, or on the edges of athletic fields when there’s big open spaces," Fessler said. "A lot of companies and school leaders recognize that’s kind of a good fit."
The Schoharie project was more than a decade in the making, requiring state approvals through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and coordination with National Grid. Blanchard says the lengthy process was worth it.
"The money that we’re saving by not having to put toward electricity, we can put toward opportunities for students," Blanchard said. "This kind of insulates us from further taxation locally, or if there are state cuts to the budget."
The School Boards Association says its focus now is on lowering the barriers for other districts looking to follow suit.
"Our role is to help facilitate that as much as possible, remove barriers that exist when it’s appropriate to do so, and encourage the state to allow and perhaps even incentivize some of these actions, to help school districts get over what can be meaningful short-term cost increases," Fessler said.
Blanchard says the Schoharie array is expected to power the district for at least the next 20 years, giving administrators long-term financial flexibility.
"We’re here to educate kids," Blanchard said. "Now we have to find ways to creatively fund that education. And the solar field allows for that."

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