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Solar projects are booming in the education sector.

Solar capacity in higher education grew 450 percent over the past three years, according to a new database of on-campus solar installations compiled by .

AASHE reports that the market in 2010 for on-campus solar installations was over $300 million in the U.S. The Oregon University System this summer , which is billed as the largest solar contract in the nation for a public university system on multiple campuses.

Solar installations are also popping up on more elementary and high school campuses. The Bonneville Environmental Foundation’s program has supported solar projects on 150 schools nationwide, including a recent installment in southern Oregon.

Rogue Valley-based installed a 5.17 kilowatt system at Helman Elementary School in Ashland, which is enough to power more than 250 computers.

The Solar 4R Schools program has provided similar solar packages for more than 30 other Oregon schools.