Rhode Island

Solar Efficiency Rank: #34 in the nation (1,203 MWh/year*)

Number of schools in state: 403

Solar Total Output Rank: #48 in the nation (485 GWh/year* and 0.3% of Total US Output potential)

* Calculations assume that schools install a 1 MWp solar array

Average Solar Potential, by Zip Code

Hover over each zip-code to see the Photo-Voltaic Output (PVOUT) in KWh/year, a measure of the electrical energy generated, of a 1 MWp solar panel array installed in a school within that zip code. 

Dark-red colored zip codes have higher PVOUT values and correlate to ideal regions for solar panels. These regions often have higher elevation, more exposure to sunlight, and latitude values closer to the equator. Solar arrays in these locations will outperform those placed in yellow or orange colored zip codes. 

Number of Schools, by Zip Code

Hover over each zip-code to see the number of local schools in that region. Dense population centers (like cities) have smaller land-area and higher number of schools in each zip code. 

Total Solar Potential, by Zip Code

Hover over each zip-code to see the total Photo-Voltaic Output (PVOUT) in KWh/year, a measure of the electrical energy generated, of 1 MWp solar panel arrays installed at every school in that zip code. 

Areas with higher density of population, and therefore a larger number of schools, will show up as dark-red on the map. As decisions to “go solar” are often made by local school boards, communities in these regions can make an outsized impact. 

Top 10 Schools in the State

Schools are sorted by solar potential. The schools below are the best candidates in the state for installing (or expanding) solar panel arrays:

Rank School Address Solar Potential
(MWh/year)
1BLOCK ISLAND SCHOOLBLOCK ISLAND SCHOOL
BLOCK ISLAND, RI 02807
1243.67
2DUNN'S CORNERS SCHOOL8 1/2 PLATEAU ROAD
WESTERLY, RI 02891
1228.18
3WESTERLY MIDDLE SCHOOL10 SANDY HILL ROAD
WESTERLY, RI 02891
1227.74
4MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL130 VALLEY ROAD
MIDDLETOWN, RI 02842
1227.28
5JOSEPH GAUDET ACADEMY1113 AQUIDNECK AVE.
MIDDLETOWN, RI 02842
1227.05
6FOREST AVENUE SCHOOL315 FOREST AVENUE
MIDDLETOWN, RI 02842
1227.00
7STATE STREET SCHOOL35 STATE STREET
WESTERLY, RI 02891
1226.92
8JOSEPH H. GAUDET SCHOOL1113 AQUIDNECK AVENUE
MIDDLETOWN, RI 02842
1226.75
9CLAIBORNE PELL ELEMENTARY35 DEXTER STREET
NEWPORT, RI 02840
1226.46
10PORTSMOUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL125 JEPSON LANE
PORTSMOUTH, RI 02871
1226.13