Solar on Schools

Wisconsin public schools spend more than $175 million annually on energy, the largest expense outside of personnel. Solar PV installations provide a unique means for schools to reduce operating expenses without cutting educational programs. Schools can also utilize these installations to educate and energize the next generation with hands-on renewable energy curriculum, exposing them to careers in clean energy. The industry added jobs 70 percent faster than the overall economy from 2015-2019. The demand for these jobs is only going to continue to grow as our national energy economy transitions away from fossil fuels.

Recognizing these unique benefits, and with generous support from the Couillard Solar Foundation, Solar on Schools was developed to provide a range of resources to Wisconsin schools, assisting with and simplifying the solar project development process. The program aims to help Wisconsin schools realize the financial, educational, and community benefits of going solar. Wisconsin schools are going solar.

The Basics

Solar School FAQs -coming soon-

Schools going solar for the first time can feel overwhelmed and underinformed about the technology and process. We’ve compiled a list of FAQs to help explain the basics of solar, solar project costs, resources available, and project consideration to help you get started.

The Benefits of Solar for WI K-12 Schools –

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.

Grant

The Solar on Schools grant provides public WI K-12 schools and colleges access to an in-kind module grant, valued up to $20,000. Applicants are eligible to apply for one grant for each school building installing solar. Grant applicants must demonstrate project development and the ability to install their PV system within 12 months of being awarded the grant. Schools can apply online through the link below.

For PV systems smaller than 100 kW, grants are awarded for up to 50% of the system size.
For PV systems 100 kW and larger, grants are awarded for 50kW DC.
Installers can purchase additional modules for school projects through Speed Solar.

grant application

Resources

PV Development for WI K-12 Schools is a free online, on-demand resource center available to Wisconsin schools interested in going solar. The resources were designed with K-12 schools in mind, however much of the content is relevant and applicable to any educational institution. 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. We have compiled expert-presented videos, WI solar school case studies, templates, RFP examples, and other resources all compiled in one place intended to help you develop a solar project for your school and guide you through bid selection and procurement. Information will be presented about general solar market trends, how to assess site prioritization, finance, and procurement strategies used to deliver on-site solar. Topics include:

Solar PV Basics and Introduction
Early Considerations for a Solar Project
Your Energy Use and Analysis
Assessing and Selecting a Site for Your Solar Project
Solar Project Financial Modeling
Bid-Ready Solar Projects: RFP Development
Running a Competitive Solicitation and Bid Evaluation

View the Resource Center

Case Studies

Explore and Learn From Grant Recipient Case Studies:

Public WI K-12 schools and colleges all over the state have gone solar with a Solar on Schools grant. Grants have been awarded to 16 technical college campuses and K-12 schools. The total installed capacity will be over 3.4 MW once these projects are commissioned. The largest system is 646kW and the smallest is 7.4kW. Explore the case studies below to learn more detail about each of the different projects.

2019-2020 Projects:

Merton Community School District: Merton Intermediate & Merton Primary (389kW)
Oregon School District: Forest Edge Elementary School (646kW)
Madison Metropolitan School District: Madison West High School (125.8kW)
Mid-State Technical College: Stevens Point Campus (50kW)
- Ribbon Cutting
Eau Claire Area School District: Eau Claire Memorial & Eau Claire North (252kW)
School District of Marshfield: Marshfield High School (7.4kW)
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College: Green Bay Campus (20kW)
Madison Area Technical College: Reedsburg & Fort Atkinson Campuses

2020-2021 Projects:

Rice Lake Area School District: Tainter Elementary, Rice Lake Middle School, & Rice Lake High School
Milwaukee Area Technical College: Mequon & Oak Creek Campuses
Madison College: Truax & Watertown Campuses

Education

Curriculum Resources:

Center For Renewable Energy Advanced Technological Education (CREATE) – Each of their teaching materials include teacher lesson plans, student handouts, answer keys, and resources for each of the lessons explored. Documentation is also provided for each lesson referencing the US DOE Energy Literacy Standards (ELS) and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Curriculum is intended for an 8th-12th grade audience.
Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP) – KEEP was created to promote energy education in Wisconsin schools. They have a host of free, downloadable solar curriculum and activities organized by grade level as well as classroom visits, hand-on lending, and partner programs.

Educator Training Resources: Coming Soon from MREA and KEEP

Solar Energy Education: Using Your School’s Solar Dashboard Online – Use your school’s solar resource to engage students and drive teaching and learning with relevant experiences. Your solar electric system can be used in math, science, and social studies lessons to analyze data and explore how utilization of renewable energy impacts our community.
Renewable Energy Education Online Module – Through online readings, activities, surveys, and discussions, enrolled participants will investigate renewable energy technologies and explore uses of renewable energy in communities across Wisconsin, the United States, and the World. Find out how to incorporate renewable energy into your life and discover what the future of renewable energy holds for you.