Eanes ISD launching solar program to help with $3.7M budget shortfall

The district recently finished installing more than 9,000 solar panels across eight of its campuses, which will save thousands of dollars each year.

KVUE News
Author: Melia Masumoto

AUSTIN, Texas — With falling enrollment, Eanes ISD, like many other school districts, is facing a budget shortfall, but a new solar program is estimated to save the district hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.

"We're looking at choices that we're going to have to make to balance the budget next year, and this just makes it a lot easier," said Chris Scott, the Chief Financial Officer for Eanes ISD.

As part of a bond passed in 2023, EISD put $6 million toward starting a solar program. Last August, they started installing the Axis Solar panels, and about a month ago, they finishing installing around 9,000 panels across their eight campuses. 

"It takes a lot of forward thinking from a school district to put this onto a bond program," said Graeme Walker, the founder and CEO of Axis Solar.

Last year without the solar panels, EISD spent around $1.4 million on its energy bill, but the solar panels are expected to cut that number in half, and save the district about $700,000 a year.

With the solar panels and other Austin Energy rebates combined, the program is expected to save the district $10 million over the next 10 years.

Ongoing Budget Deficit

Scott said the district is currently facing a $3.7 million budget shortfall, but that number is expected to jump to $5 or $6 million if they don't do anything about it. He pointed to the general fund budget as one of the biggest areas facing issues.

"The general fund, the one that we pay our teachers from, the one that we pay our staff from, the one that we're always struggling with," Scott said. 

Because that general fund budget has to pay for utilities and salaries, they're hoping this program is just one piece to protect teachers. The $700,000 a year saved from solar energy is equal to 11 teacher positions they won't have to cut to deal with the deficit.

"We give our staff raises typically every year, and that has a cost," Scott said. "Giving our staff raises has been a priority of our board forever, and that is again one of the reasons that we have a program like this, so that they can devote more money to paying our staff."

The solar project, with 4.75 megawatts, recently won the Urban Land Institute Austin Impact Award for Most Influential Project. It's the largest educational solar installation in Austin.

Other Solar Projects

Eanes ISD isn't the only local school district to roll out a solar energy program. According to the Austin ISD's website, the district has at least 14 buildings with rooftop solar panels. The program started in 2022, with a $15 million federal grant, and is expected to save the district money over time.