Welcome to Solar on Schools! Through a vision and generous support from the Couillard Solar Foundation, Solar on Schools provides a range of free resources to Wisconsin K-12 schools interested in pursuing a solar PV system. The time is now for solar PV and Wisconsin schools are going solar! This initiative includes a grant, an on-demand course, and technical assistance services.
The Solar on Schools grant provides WI K-12 school access to a module donation, with a value of over $20,000. This grant is intended for schools well on their way to installing a solar PV system and/or are already working with or in contact with installers developing a project. See our PDF application questionaire and sample Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for more information on requirements and grant expectations.
- For solar systems smaller than 100 kW, a school will be granted up to 50% of the panels required for the solar project.
- For systems 100 kW and larger, a school will be granted 50 kW of panels
- Installers can purchase additional modules for school projects through Speed Solar. Profit on sales of WI K-12 school modules will be donated to the Couillard Solar Foundation.
PV Development for WI K-12 Schools is a free online, on-demand resource available to Wisconsin K-12 school affiliates interested in going solar. The course is intended to assist school administrative teams, boards, staff, students, facilities crew, or other school affiliates (“Solar Planning Teams”) better understand the solar PV development process.
The course can be utilized a la carte as needed for your solar PV project, or beginning-to-end. Think of it as a collection of case studies, document templates, expert presented videos, and other resources all compiled in one place.
Information will be presented about general solar market trends, how to assess site prioritization, finance, and procurement strategies used to deliver on-site solar. For more information, check out the full course syllabus. Module topics include:
- Course Introduction
- PV Development Considerations
- Energy Analysis
- Site Prioritization
- Project Financial Modeling
- RFP Development
- Running a Competitive Solicitation
- Project Development Assistance
The Benefits of Solar PV for WI K-12 Schools – Nov. 6th, 2019
This webinar introduces MREA’s Solar on Schools initiative and current market trends for solar schools. Sara Windjue, Outreach Coordinator for the Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program, discusses renewable energy educational and curriculum opportunities. You’ll hear from Oregon School District science teacher Nathan Mahr, who has been utilizing solar PV in school curriculum for years as well as Merton School District superintendent Ronald Russ, who discusses the district’s recently installed 300kW system.
It’s easy to get excited about solar on your school!
Through the partnership between the Couillard Solar Foundation and the MREA, WI K-12 schools are able to begin working with MREA’s technical assistance team as a third party service.
To get started, first complete the Course Application Form to gain access to course material. Module 8 includes six (6) topic shorts, each summarizing the general technical assistance services offered to WI K-12 schools through course participation, as listed below:
- PV Project Plan
- Solar PV Site Assessment Report
- Solar PV Economic Feasibility Analysis
- Solar PV RFP Development Assistance
- Solar RFP Evaluation Assistance
- PV System Inspection and Report
Technical assistance services can be applied for directly within Module 8 of the course. An expanded explanation of services can be found here.
Solar on Schools Program Flyer
Donated Module
Info Sheet
Program Technical Assistance Offerings
PV Dev. for WI K-12 Schools Syllabus
Module Grant MOU Template
Program Contact
Amanda Schienebeck
Solar Program Coordinator
Email: amandas@midwestrenew.org
Phone: (608)-217-3281
