Roanoke City Public Schools (RCPS) and Secure Solar Futures celebrated the next phase of one of the largest solar energy projects undertaken by a K–12 school division in Virginia and announced a $150,000 investment in student learning opportunities funded through the Coalfield Solar Fund by Intuit.
Through the installation of solar panels and roof restoration at 17 RCPS locations, the division is projected to save $46.5 million over the next 35 years. This work is made possible through a 25-year, no-upfront-cost power purchase agreement. The project will ultimately generate 7.3 megawatts of solar power across the 17 locations.
“This is a proud day for Roanoke,” said Superintendent Dr. Verletta White. “We are making smart choices that will benefit our students today and for generations to come. With this partnership, we are bringing sustainability into the classroom and giving students real-world experiences that prepare them for their future.”
During the event, Secure Solar Futures CEO & Founder Dr. Anthony Smith presented a $150,000 grant from Intuit through the Coalfield Solar Fund to support solar education and work-based learning experiences for RCPS students. This includes the development of a Solar Education and Workforce Development Plan in partnership with Secure Solar Futures.
“Our innovative partnership with RCPS as a leader in sustainability also provides students with hands-on experience with renewable energy and career pathways in the 21st-century energy economy,” Dr. Smith said.
The first 1.6-megawatt phase of the initiative was completed in 2024 by Commonwealth Power across six locations, setting the stage for this expansion. The energy produced is equivalent to powering 1,200 homes annually and will offset over 7,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide — equal to removing more than 1,500 cars from the road each year.
“With no upfront cost, we are making a smart investment that will pay off for decades, reducing our energy expenses and creating more sustainable, resilient school buildings,” said Roanoke City School Board Member Mike Cherry.
As part of the event, attendees toured the rooftop solar installation at the William B. Robertson Administration Building.
About Roanoke City Public Schools:
Roanoke City Public Schools (RCPS) is an urban school division in Roanoke, Virginia, serving a pre-K through 12th grade population of approximately 14,000 students. RCPS provides an inclusive and equitable, student-centered culture that empowers lifelong learning. Through meaningful, relevant, and engaging learning opportunities, we empower all students to dream, excel, and meet their full potential to benefit our city and its citizens. The division has 17 elementary schools, five middle schools, two high schools, and five program locations, including the Roanoke Valley Governor's School for Science & Technology and two Career & Technical Education centers. Visit www.rcps.info for additional information.
About Secure Solar Futures
As a market and policy leader, Secure Solar Futures builds, owns, manages, and funds affordable Resilient Solar Solutions® for hospitals, schools, and businesses. The company combines state-of–the-art solar technology with an innovative business model to make commercial-scale solar readily affordable in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, helping customers to realize the economic, environmental, and community benefits of solar energy. In 2017, Secure Solar Futures became a Certified B Corporation®.
