Assessing the Feasibility of Photovoltaic Systems for North Carolina's K-12 Public Schools

<p class="p1">This study evaluates the feasibility of deploying rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems across all K&ndash;12 public schools in North Carolina through a comprehensive techno-economic and spatial analysis. Leveraging PySAM, a Python-based interface for the System Advisor Model (SAM), the research simulates nearly 2,000 school sites using a batch process that integrates site-specific weather data, system configurations, and utility rate models. Key metrics analyzed include annual energy generation, levelized cost of energy (LCOE), net present value (NPV) of annual costs, and capacity factor. Spatial results are overlaid with Justice40-designated energy-burdened communities to identify priority areas for investment. Results reveal strong correlations between system performance and financial viability, with high-impact schools, those in energy-burdened areas with large PV potential, offering the most cost-effective opportunities. The analysis confirms that rooftop solar can offset a substantial portion of energy use, reduce operational costs, and support statewide clean energy goals while enhancing educational equity. This scalable methodology provides a decision-support tool for policymakers and school districts considering solar adoption, particularly in historically underserved regions.