Castleford School

Project Partners: Idaho Power Co., Idaho Power's Green Power Customers, Balanced Rock Electric Location: Castleford, ID Capacity: 1.1 kW Type of Power: Solar Placed into Service: December 2003 Project Links: Idaho Power's Green Power Program Castleford School

The Castleford School is the sixth project in BEF’s Solar 4R Schools program. The 1.1-kW solar photovoltaic system at the Castleford School is also the first local solar project to be supported by subscribers of Idaho Power's Green Power Program. The system was also funded through the Conservation Program Funding Charge, which is paid by all Idaho Power customers. In addition to installing the solar system, the Castleford School undertook energy conservation measures after conducting an energy audit.

The Solar 4R Schools program provides a demonstrable means of educating students on the functions and benefits of solar electric power at no financial cost to the schools. In addition to producing clean, renewable energy, each school’s solar power system includes a curriculum package that uses web-based, real-time data generated by each installation to help teachers instruct students on the benefits of renewable energy.

Idaho Power's Green Power Program began in 2001 and serves over 1,800 customers who have chosen to support renewable energy. Voluntary enrollment in the Green Power Program supports renewable resources on a local and regional level. Idaho Power works with BEF to secure the renewable resources purchased by customers enrolled in the Green Power Program.