Toronto Schools Put Solar Panels on Roofs
According to the Toronto District School Board, students in Toronto’s public schools will notice something new on the rooftops of many campuses as spring arrives. A large solar installation is planned to rise above the familiar skyline, turning school roofs into a practical source of power. The project reflects a city and district push toward cleaner energy and aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels while keeping classrooms energized. This change will be implemented over several months to ensure construction does not disrupt lessons, with safety and logistics closely coordinated by district staff and project partners. The result will be a visible symbol of climate action within the education system and a live example for students studying science and the environment.
Officials say the plan is a partnership between the Toronto District School Board and AMP Solar Group, a company that develops and installs solar power projects. The agreement calls for panels to be installed on up to 450 school rooftops across the city, a scale that makes the plan one of the largest rooftop solar efforts in a Canadian school system. The anticipated output is about 60 megawatts of electricity each year, a level that can power roughly 6,000 homes and help stabilize energy costs for schools in the long term. The project includes maintenance and monitoring components so that performance can be tracked, issues addressed, and optimization opportunities explored, all while ensuring student safety and minimal classroom disruption. The authors of the deal emphasize that the program will be phased in with a clear timeline and ongoing oversight by district leaders and AMP Solar Group technicians.
Solar energy provides a cleaner option compared with coal, oil, and natural gas, which release pollutants that contribute to air quality problems and climate change. The electricity produced on school rooftops will displace some energy drawn from less environmentally friendly sources, reducing overall emissions in the district’s energy mix. In addition to environmental gains, the project offers hands-on learning opportunities for students. Teachers and administrators can integrate real-time data from the solar system into lessons on weather, energy, and sustainability, turning campuses into living laboratories. By investing in renewable power, the district aligns with local and provincial energy goals and supports the growth of green jobs for the next generation.
The Toronto District School Board is the first Canadian school system to pursue a project of this scale on public buildings, setting a notable precedent for others to follow. Advocates say rooftop solar on schools can lower operating costs over time, improve energy resilience, and spark interest in science, technology, engineering, and math among students. If similar efforts spread to other districts in Canada and nearby regions, more schools could join the movement, expanding access to clean energy and reducing the financial pressures of energy consumption. The project offers a real-world example of climate action in education, helping students understand what a sustainable future looks like and how communities can work together to make it possible.