FAQs

1) Have you obtained estimates from suppliers for the installation? What companies would be involved in the installation?

Yes, the company we are working with, Standard Solar, Inc., is providing us with the solar panels and all the mounting materials needed for a discounted price of $15,000. An additional $5,000 must be raised to allow for inspections, paperwork fees, donor recognition, and to be invested in a contract for future maintenance. Installation will be a joint effort between Fairfax County Public Schools and Standard Solar, and will be done free of charge as well.

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2) What will be the capacity of the system? Would TJHSST be able to “sell” power back to the grid? (That is, run the power meter in reverse)

We are currently looking at a 2.8 kW system. This system can by no means power an entire school, but is a good starting point for the future. By placing this initial system, it sets the jumping point for many more panels to be added with ease and at a lower cost in the future. Furthermore, it allows the community to see the potential of solar power in schools and educational institutions and provides a working example of the future.

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Additionally, at the moment, the Commonwealth of Virginia does not allow buildings to “sell” power back to the grid.

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3) Who is the faculty sponsor?

Our faculty sponsors are Mrs. Amanda Hurowitz and Mr. Hadan Kauffman. Both are distinguished persons in the fields of environmental policy and environmental and energy sciences.

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4) Could you provide evidence of the endorsements by THSST and FCPS that you noted?

Yes; please contact us if you would like us to send you documents of support.

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5) How are the finances to be handled? Who holds the donated funds? Who will handle the contract for the installation? Who will determine whether the installation is satisfactory and the money is to be paid?

All finances are handled and held by the TJHSST Finance Office. This office is run by the school and county and adheres to all existing standards. For more information, please call the TJHSST Switchboard at 703-750-8300 and ask for the Finance Office.

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The contract for installation is jointly handled by the TJ Solar Panel Initiative group, the Thomas Jefferson High School administration, and Fairfax County Public Schools officials. All parts will be purchased from Standard Solar, Inc. Installation is being provided for free by Standard Solar and will be done in cooperation with Fairfax County Public Schools.

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The entire process will be overseen by the TJ Solar Panel Initiative, the Thomas Jefferson High School administration, and Fairfax County Public Schools officials.

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6) What will you do with the “excess money” should you end up raising more than $20,000?

Should we raise more than $20,000, all the “excess money” will be used to purchase more solar panels. $20,000 is only the baseline cost. Put another way, if we do not raise $20,000, it is physically impossible for solar panels to be installed at TJ. The $20,000 covers the cost of putting in the initial system and an initial set of solar panels. However, out ultimate goal is to power the entire school off of solar energy. To do so, we will surely need greater than $20,000.

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In order to reach this goal, $20,000 is only our initial target. We plan to raise $20,000 by the end of the school year. Once this is achieved and the initial system is in place, we may create another target in order to continue expanding the solar panel array to continue to move TJ to solar energy.