Press Release
April 15, 2026
Ameresco and Cook County Celebrate Completion of Solar Installation at Skokie Courthouse
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K-12 school districts across the U.S. continue to face several common challenges, from aging infrastructure to rising costs and increasingly tight budgets. Many schools are still operating with HVAC systems that are decades old and reaching end-of-life, outdated lighting and controls, and deferred maintenance, all of which can have a significant impact on comfort and productivity for both students and staff.
In fact, a survey from the National Center for Education Statistics, found that the average main school building is nearly half a century old, with around one-third of schools never having undergone a major renovation or addition.
School districts are simultaneously under pressure to advance both short and long-term sustainability initiatives while protecting classroom budgets. Energy efficiency upgrades and meeting resilience needs, for example, are two areas of significant growth.
Upgrading energy infrastructure shouldn’t be a trade-off between facility improvement and maintaining fiscal responsibility. With the right strategy, K-12 school districts can implement upgrades that reduce costs and boost overall efficiency, creating healthier, more sustainable learning environments.
Ameresco has partnered with multiple districts to make this vision a reality, delivering measurable energy savings while upgrading core infrastructure. From solar projects and energy management systems to full-scale performance-based initiatives, these projects show what is possible. Here’s a step-by-step guide to achieving these results.
Step 1: Begin With a Comprehensive Energy Assessment
Every successful modernization project starts with understanding how and where energy is used, as well as identifying the biggest opportunities for improvement. A thorough assessment provides a data-driven baseline, highlights aging equipment, and prioritizes high-impact upgrades, giving districts a strategic roadmap for phased, measurable improvements. A detailed assessment also helps identify which systems can be retrofitted for improved performance and which require full replacement.
For example, the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns chose Ameresco to conduct a comprehensive energy audit and implement a range of improvements, including lighting upgrades, energy management system enhancements, and a district-wide solar photovoltaic (PV) installation, projected to generate over 1,066,441 kWh annually. Starting with this holistic view allowed the district to identify the most immediate areas for opportunity and align infrastructure improvements with long-term financial planning.
Step 2: Bundle Upgrades for Maximum Impact
One-off upgrades rarely yield lasting results. Strategic, phased improvements are key to unlocking the full downstream benefits of any energy infrastructure project. Simply replacing a boiler or upgrading lighting without addressing an aging HVAC system may leave potential savings on the table. The combination of energy measures provides compounding benefits: lower costs, increased comfort, and decreased maintenance.
Our work with Warren Woods Public Schools brings these benefits to light. The district partnered with Ameresco on a range of upgrades including LED lighting, HVAC retrofits, geothermal systems, roofing, water efficiency, and solar integration. The result: improved energy efficiency and estimated lifetime savings of around $8.7 million over the next 25 years, without straining district budgets.
Step 3: Integrate Renewables into the Mix
Resilience planning should be a key consideration when modernizing school infrastructure and integrating on-site renewable energy can strengthen both financial and operational stability. On-site solar generation can help local school districts reduce reliance on the grid, ultimately delivering long-term cost-savings and advancing broader sustainability objectives. Pairing battery energy storage systems with solar installations can also help ensure schools remain powered even during disruptions.
Orange Unified School District collaborated with Ameresco to develop on-site solar across district facilities. The project aligned with sustainability goals, enabling the district to manage electricity costs and reduce exposure to market volatility, with projected savings of $6.3 million over 25 years. This is even more critical for districts serving as community hubs or emergency shelters, where resilient energy infrastructure is a must to protect students, staff, and the broader community.
Step 4: Leverage The Right Contract Model for Your District’s Needs
One major barrier to modernizing energy infrastructure at the K-12 level is the upfront capital. Leveraging the right funding mechanisms can help districts overcome this challenge. Many states provide bonds for renovation or construction, while districts can also leverage federal resources, internal budgets, debt financing, and leasing arrangements.
Depending on the district’s needs, there are a variety of different contract models to consider when pursuing a project, from power purchase agreements (PPAs) for solar projects to budget-neutral infrastructure upgrades such as Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs). ESPCs allow districts to fund upgrades through guaranteed energy savings, enabling immediate improvements that are paid over time through reduced operating expenses.
Performance-based approaches can also deliver significant value. The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) partnered with Ameresco to implement over 2.7 MW of solar carport and shade structure PV systems and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure with a 25-year performance guarantee. Part of a longer initiative to install solar at 21 schools, the net cost avoidance from the 21-school program is expected to total up to $45.7 million.
For end-of-life infrastructure replacement projects, emerging delivery models such as progressive design-build provide earlier collaboration, allowing scope and cost to be defined collaboratively during an initial development phase and establishing a guaranteed project cost after design development.
Step 5: Turn Modernization into a Learning Opportunity
Infrastructure projects can also serve as important educational tools, offering new resources for students to learn, but also become part of the energy transition. At Ritenour School District, for example, Ameresco helped launch the “Path to Trades” program, where students gain exposure to unique experiences in the construction trades, mentorship from industry professionals, and certifications that equip them with real-world skills and career readiness.
Matchbook Learning also partnered with Ameresco to enhance facilities while advancing its mission-driven education model through a revamped career center, showcasing how infrastructure and innovation can progress together.
Energy modernization goes beyond simply upgrading buildings. These efforts also create high-impact learning opportunities that can inspire the next generation of engineers, technicians, and sustainability leaders.
Creating Lasting Impact
Modernizing aging school infrastructure efficiently and cost-effectively may feel daunting, but by partnering strategically with Ameresco, school districts nationwide are proving it’s achievable. By leveraging these how-to tips, school district leaders can unlock cost savings while building more resilient learning environments.
This white paper is for school administrators and facility leaders facing the challenge of operational expenses, addressing deferred maintenance, and ensuring high-quality learning environments for students. Various programs and policies are incentivizing the K-12 market to decarbonize by providing financial support, resources, and technical assistance.
