Collection of the nation’s ESPC Case Studies in a publicly available database. It allows the user to search by a number of criteria in drop down menus including case studies from K-12, community colleges, and higher education.

Includes information on what is performance contracting; 5 steps to success; PC activities by state; Federal programs; financing; legislation; model contracts, and links to more resources.

Details best practices for financing and installing photovoltaic (PV) systems on school buildings. The report focuses on financial options developed specifically for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Some highlights of the report include: an introduction to financing PV installations on schools; a look at the direct-ownership option, which takes advantage of financing mechanisms such as general funds, bonds, construction funds, and grants; and a review of the third-party finance model, including power purchase agreements and energy services performance contracts. In addition to comparing a range of financing options for PV installations, the report provides real-world examples of financing solar installations on K-12 schools and other public facilities. These examples may be used by school districts around the country to help them navigate the process of financing PV installations. 38p

Provides basic information to help building owners understand the paid-from-savings approach and decide if it is a viable option for "greening" their existing buildings. This approach is a financing strategy that leverages the savings generated from building system upgrades to pay for a comprehensive greening project within a defined pay-back period. The variety of financing methods available are described, and case studies that include a school are included. 20p.

Reports on alternative financing of public schools in Maryland, describing examples of the leasing and adaptive reuse of commercial buildings in Hagerstown and Bel Air, energy performance contracts throughout the state, private developer funding of schools, and in-kind donations. Project procurement and delivery strategies are described as well. 23p.

Provides examples of energy-saving strategies from a variety of school districts, including school occupant behavior modification, energy performance contracts, wireless monitoring of consumption, and photovoltaic systems.

Discusses the use of performance contracts to fund school improvements. Case studies from Wyandotte (Michigan) and Buffalo illustrate how customized agreements and specific goals were crafted into successful renovations. Typical improvements are lighting and HVAC upgrades, peak demand management, behavioral modifications, and building envelope improvements.

Discusses performance-based contracting as a cost effective means to improve school facilities. The article describes typical building systems that can be upgraded in a performance-based contract, as well as how they are financed. How to determine eligible systems, how the process is executed, and what to expect as a result are also addressed.

Explains how performance contracts pay for building improvements through subsequent energy savings, how to select and energy service company (ESCO) to execute the project, services that can be included in the contract, and evaluating the effectiveness of the upgrades.

Discusses the significant contribution of buildings to greenhouse gas emissions and how a great deal can be done at little cost to make a building more “green.” Typical payback from upgrades and performance contracting are also discussed.

Discussses the expansion of "green" school facility consciousness to include alternative energy sources, LEED certification, CHPS standards, and performance contracting.

Uses the Metro Nashville Public Schools' experience with an energy performance contract to illustrate savings realized in energy and water usage through updated fixtures and equipment. The energy auditing process, funding, and phasing of the improvements are discussed.

Discusses how to benefit from a performance contract with energy services company (ESCO). Selecting the right company, ensuring that savings are guaranteed, and picking the right projects are addressed.

Discusses Utica College's quest to save energy, along with their inability to fund the improvements needed to make it happen. Highlights of an energy audit and potential performance contract are included, but the performance contract was not executed due to the economic downturn and lower energy prices. A successful partnership with a local hospital to create an electrical generation plant is also described.