The Tucson Unified School District’s (TUSD) primary goal for school building
construction and maintenance is to improve the learning and teaching environment by improving building and systems performance and energy savings. Because of Tucson’s hot, dry climate, energy use—particularly for cooling loads—is a significant portion of the total school budget. The TUSD has 107 schools and 8 million square feet of interior space supporting approximately 60,000 students. According to district staff, the potential savings resulting from energy efficiency and water efficiency projects (identified in professional energy audits) is more than $1 million annually. These projects featured lighting retrofits, use of reclaimed water for irrigation, and energy management systems. The TUSD established a Resources Efficiency Awareness Program (REAP) in 1991, a point system for schools with monetary awards. The district wrote, “Everyone in TUSD can manage energy, water, and waste more wisely to improve both student and school facility performance. We all benefit by practicing better environmental and economic stewardship” (TUSD 2004).
The TUSD is also actively promoting renewable energy through the Tucson Solar School Project. This area has excellent solar resources, and TUSD will be installing solar electric (photovoltaic) systems in six schools in 2004 and 2005. Project partners include Tucson Electric Power Company (TEP), the Greater Tucson Coalition for Solar Energy, and state and national solar energy programs. In 2002, TUSD, in partnership with TEP, installed two 8-kilowatt (kW) photovoltaic systems purchased through TEP’s SunShare program. Six additional TUSD schools will be selected for 1-2 kW photovoltaic system installations, and the technology will be integrated into the math and science curriculum. Participating schools will also receive targeted energy efficiency retrofits such as lighting upgrades, vending machine controls, and energy management control systems. By reducing energy costs and providing new learning opportunities for students, energy efficiency and renewable energy are helping the Tucson program address both financial and academic needs (TUSD 2004).