Overview
The Solar-Powered School Microgrid project was developed as part of the New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS) Global STEM Alliance challenge. A reliable power source is critical to education and community security, yet not all schools have access to stable grid power — many instead rely on unreliable sources such as diesel generators, often in areas where disaster risk and power outages are most common.
Terra Reform's proposal addresses this by designing modular solar-powered school microgrids — rooftop photovoltaic installations combined with battery storage — that supply clean, reliable power to schools while doubling as backup power systems during outages. Beyond electricity, the concept positions the school microgrid as a dual-purpose infrastructure: a source of reliable, clean energy for the school and surrounding community, and a "living laboratory" where students engage with real-time dashboards linking their academic work to real-world energy systems.
Hypothesis
If schools invest in modular solar microgrids enabled by forecast-driven battery dispatch and student-engaged monitoring, these systems will deliver greater reliability of power supply, reduced dependence on fossil fuels, and increased student engagement compared to conventional power arrangements.
Methodology & Results
To test this hypothesis, the team used the System Advisor Model (SAM) simulator to model system performance in terms of solar irradiance capture, battery storage availability, seasonal variability, and delivery of critical loads. The simulation results show that the proposed microgrid design can meet more than 90% of a school's educational power requirements over a full year, and can provide 6-12 hours of backup power during outages — even on low-sunlight days. A weather-forecasting dispatch algorithm further improves the system's robustness to weather variability by intelligently managing when stored energy is used versus conserved.
Key Aspects
- Modular rooftop solar PV generation paired with battery storage, sized using SAM simulation data
- Forecast-driven battery dispatch algorithm that adapts to weather variability and demand
- Meets over 90% of annual educational power demand and provides 6-12 hours of outage backup, even on low-sunlight days
- Educational "living laboratory" integration — students engage with real-time dashboards linking coursework to live energy data
- Community resilience hub concept — the school serves as a reliable power source during grid outages, including for laptops and smartphones
- Designed for scalability, open-source structure, and economic feasibility using current solar materials
Motivation
Access to reliable electricity remains a significant barrier to educational quality in many parts of the world. Schools that face frequent outages or have no grid connection at all cannot run computers, laboratories, or modern equipment effectively. Solar microgrids offer a scalable, decentralized solution that could directly improve educational outcomes while contributing to broader sustainability goals.
Simultaneously, having students operate, monitor, and study a real energy system on their own school grounds transforms the learning experience — turning abstract physics and engineering concepts into tangible, lived understanding. Terra Reform's mission is to help schools across the world become clean-energy leaders, improving learning and security while contributing to an equitable and sustainable future.
Program Context
This project was developed through the New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS) Global STEM Alliance, an international program connecting student innovators to work on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics challenges with real-world relevance.