A few years ago, when the Irvine Unified School District (USD) was trying to get a handle on sky-high energy spending, it looked to the sun, which is virtually always in view given the district's locale: Orange County, California. Flash forward to 2010, and Irvine USD is in the midst of implementing what it says is the most comprehensive K-12 solar energy initiative of any school district in the country. But that's a claim it isn't likely to be able to make for long, as other districts discover solar power's financial, environmental, and educational benefits. Like businesses and individuals, school districts are having to address rising energy costs. This article discusses how solar power can help districts reduce and stabilize their utility costs.