Carolina Friends School
Durham, North Carolina

Carolina Friends School had solar water heating installed back in the 80s and decided in 2004 to install a solar photovoltaic system on campus. Honey Electric Solar installed the solar PV system which now provides a hands-on learning tool to teach students about solar energy, educates parents and the wider community about renewable energy, and reduces the school’s use of coal- and nuclear-based electricity.

Carolina Friends School's setup consists of a grid-tied 2.6 kilowatt (DC) solar photovoltaic system and a data acquisition system installed on the roof of a one-story school building. The roof has a 30-degree slope and faces southeast. The system produces approximately 3,300 kilowatt-hours/year – about 15% of the building’s electricity needs.