Renewable Energy Integration in Secondary Schools: A Case Study in Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago (TT) must accelerate its transition to renewable energy (RE) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease its reliance on natural gas, and meet its Paris Agreement commitments. This study analyzed the energy load profile of a secondary school in TT to assess the feasibility and economic viability of integrating RE systems. Using the electricity consumption data, an hourly load profile was reconstructed and validated against an established model. This study evaluates various scenarios combining solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy systems under different electricity prices and configurations. The results showed that solar PV is the most promising option because of its strong alignment with the school’s load profile, lower cost, and higher energy penetration. Net metering was found to be critical for economic viability, enabling the sale of excess electricity to the grid and offsetting the utility costs. Without it, renewable energy systems became feasible only at significantly higher electricity prices than the current subsidized rates. The optimal system design featured a 473.3 kW solar PV installation with net metering, achieving a payback period of nine years, an internal rate of return (IRR) of 9.9% and a levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of US$0.064 per kWh. The system also reduced carbon emissions by 366,615 kgCO of e annually. These findings demonstrate the potential for solar PV in educational institutions, underscore the importance of supportive policies, such as feed-in tariffs, and provide actionable insights for policymakers and energy planners aiming to advance RE deployment in TT.