Solar on Schools

The cost of energy usage is a significant expense for Wisconsin public schools and rising energy costs can negatively impact the district Operations Budget. Solar PV installation can reduce operating expenses without cutting educational programs. Schools can also utilize solar installations as educational opportunities for students and energize the next generation with hands-on renewable energy curriculum and career awareness. In 2022, solar industry employment increased by more than 17,000 new jobs and the demand for skilled labor for jobs in the renewable energy sector is expected to continue to grow.

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!

Getting Started

Getting Solar at Your School: FAQs

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 your Solar Planning Team get started. For more advanced project development resources and templates, explore the “For Solar Planning Teams” tab.

The Benefits of Solar on Schools

This webinar introduces Solar on Schools and current solar school trends. 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 389kW system commissioned December 2019.

Grant

Apply for a Grant to Lower the Upfront Cost of Your Solar School

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 per district 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 the Couillard Solar Foundation by contacting Mark Kovelan: mark@couillardsolarfoundation.org or 608-622-7713
The specific modules awarded will be determined at the time a grant MOU has been signed. The Couillard Solar Foundation Grant awards bi-facial modules to maximize system efficiency. Example: Vikram 540w bi-facial module.
Even before you’re prepared to apply for a grant, please keep in contact with Evonne Waugh, evonne@midwestrenew.org, so the program can budget and plan for upcoming grants needs.

grant application

Case Studies

Explore and Learn From Recent Solar Schools

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 23+ school projects. The total installed capacity will be nearly 3.7 MW once these projects are commissioned. Explore the case studies below to learn more detail about each of the different projects and check out projects similar to your installation goal.

Intermediate/Elementary School Case Studies:

Darlington Community Schools: Darlington Elementary, 2016 (156 kW)

Merton Community School District: Merton Intermediate & Merton Primary (389 kW)

Oregon School District: Forest Edge Elementary School (646 kW)

School District of Cambridge: Cambridge Elementary, 2021 (192 kW)

School District of La Crosse: Hamilton Elementary (97.68 kW)

High School Case Studies:

Eau Claire Area School District: Eau Claire Memorial & Eau Claire North (252 kW)

Elkhorn Area High School: EAHS Greenhouse (10.2 kW)

Madison Metropolitan School District: Madison West High School (125.8 kW)

School District of Algoma: Algoma High School, 2020 (185.6 kW)

School District of Marshfield: Marshfield High School (7.4 kW)

School District of Waupaca: Waupaca High School, 2011 (17.28 kW)

Technical Colleges:

Madison Area Technical College: Reedsburg & Fort Atkinson Campuses (249.4 kW)

Madison College: Watertown Campus (133.2 kW)

Mid-State Technical College: Stevens Point Campus (50 kW)

Coming Soon:

Cashton School District: Cashton Elementary (61 kW)

Sturgeon Bay Schools: Sawyer Elementary (51.8 kW)

Rice Lake Area School District: Tainter Elementary, Rice Lake Middle, & Rice Lake High (750 kW)

Sevastopol School District (19.98 kW)

Chippewa Valley Technical College: Eau Claire Campus (80kW)

Lakeshore Technical College: Cleveland Campus (20.72 kW)

Milwaukee Area Technical College: Mequon & Oak Creek Campuses (680 kW)

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College: Green Bay Campus (20 kW)

For Solar Planning Teams

Let us Help you Develop Your Solar Project

Schools interested in solar are encouraged to explore this free, online, on-demand solar school project Resource Center, intended to assist school administration, boards, staff, students, facilities crew, or other school affiliates (“Solar Planning Teams”) throughout all stages of the solar project development process. View the quick project resources and templates below or view these resources and more in the Full Resource Center.

Getting Started

Solar School FAQs
10 Step Guide to Creating a Solar Roadmap
Green and Healthy Schools: register your school today no matter where you are in your green school journey

Site Assessments

Finding Solar Installers

Request for Proposal (RFP)

RFP Scoring Rubric

Project Press Releases

View the Full Resource Center

For Educators

Center For Renewable Energy Advanced Technology Education (CREATE)

CREATE’s goal is to advance the field of Renewable Energy by championing exemplary Renewable Energy education programs. 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. KEEP leverages teacher education to improve and increase energy literacy in Wisconsin’s K-12 schools as a means of contributing to statewide energy savings.

Solar Education and Training
Clean Energy Career Video Series (in partnership with Slipstream)
Classroom Slideshow and Student Activities (clean energy video series companion resources)
NEW! Using Your Solar Dashboard Technology as a Teaching Tool

National Energy Education Development (NEED)

The mission of the NEED Project is to promote an energy conscious and educated society by creating effective networks of students, educators, business, government and community leaders to design and deliver objective, multi-sided energy education programs.