Solar on Schools

The time is now for solar PV and Wisconsin schools are going solar! 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 and select Wisconsin colleges interested in pursuing a solar PV system. The program boldly aims to help 100 Wisconsin schools realize the financial, educational, and community benefits of going solar.

Getting Started

Are you a student, community member, school board member, school official, or solar champion that is interested in making solar PV happen at your school but unsure where to start? Please check out these resources below that are designed to help you get started and to learn the basics and trends about solar schools. It’s easy to get excited about solar on your school!

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 389kW system.

Solar School Pricing and Trends 101

Solar powered energy for Wisconsin schools is becoming more affordable and more impactful than ever. Sign up to receive a series of eight introductory level messages delivered to your inbox over the next two weeks, and learn how to get started to put your school on the path for conserving natural resources and saving money.

Grant

The Solar on Schools grant provides WI K-12 school access to a module donation grant, with a value up to $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. Schools must be able to demonstrate the ability to install their PV system within 12 months of being awarded the grant.

See our PDF application questionnaire and sample Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for more information on requirements and grant expectations. Applications can be filled outline through the link below.

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.

Restrictions

While all WI schools can utilize the resource center, at this time only public WI K-12 schools are eligible for the grant.
Private institutions should consider the Solar for Good grant, managed by RENEW Wisconsin.
Multiple grants may be awarded to each school district, city, or college on a case by case basis

Grant Application

Resource Center

PV Development for WI K-12 Schools is a free online, on-demand resource center available to Wisconsin school affiliates interested in going solar. The resources were designed with K-12 schools in mind but much of the content is relevant and applicable to colleges as well. These resources are 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 resources 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 syllabus. Module topics include: