A Guide to Zero Energy and Zero Energy Ready K-12 Schools

This guide was developed as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Zero Energy Schools Accelerator (ZESA), a collaborative effort between DOE; the National Renewable Energy Laboratory; and school districts, states, and educational support groups from around the country. Because education is managed locally in the United States, this research documents some of the ways U.S. school officials and educators configure school financing, design, construction, curriculum development, and other school-related matters in their areas. The steps outlined here document the process of creating a zero energy school, and can provide a strong foundation for future ZE school projects.