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.

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 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

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.

2020-2021 Projects (Coming Soon):

Rice Lake Area School District: Tainter Elementary, Rice Lake Middle, & Rice Lake High (750 kW)
Milwaukee Area Technical College: Mequon & Oak Creek Campuses (680 kW)
Madison College: Truax Campus Fitness Center (72.52 kW) & Watertown Campus (133.2 kW)
School District of La Crosse: Hamilton Elementary (97.68 kW)
Chippewa Valley Technical College: Eau Claire Campus (80kW)
Sevastopol School District (19.98 kW)
Sturgeon Bay Schools: Sawyer Elementary (51.8 kW)
Cashton School District: Cashton Elementary (61 kW)
Lakeshore Technical College: Cleveland Campus (20.72 kW)

2019-2020 Projects:

Merton Community School District: Merton Intermediate & Merton Primary (389 kW)
Oregon School District: Forest Edge Elementary School (646 kW)
Madison Metropolitan School District: Madison West High School (125.8 kW)
Mid-State Technical College: Stevens Point Campus (50 kW)
Eau Claire Area School District: Eau Claire Memorial & Eau Claire North (252 kW)
School District of Marshfield: Marshfield High School (7.4 kW)
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College: Green Bay Campus (20 kW)
Madison Area Technical College: Reedsburg & Fort Atkinson Campuses (249.4 kW)

Additional Case Studies:

Darlington Community Schools, 2016 (156 kW)
School District of Algoma, 2020 (185.6 kW)
Waupaca High School, 2011 (17.28 kW)

Donate to a School

Solar at Elkhorn High School:

MREA recently awarded a Solar on Schools grant to the Elkhorn Area School District’s High School Greenhouse Solar Project. The project was initiated by senior Shannon Wulf, who used the 2020-2021 school year to facilitate discussions with school district leaders and submit a solar project proposal as part of a class project. The 9.99-kW system will fully power the school’s greenhouse. It has been approved by the school board with Adams Electric set to install the system. The project is being supported by a series of grants and local community donations that are being secured through the leadership of Shannon and the Elkhorn FFA Organization. They are now in need of just under $5,000 to push this project across the finish line.

Donate to Elkorn

Solar on La Crosse Schools:

Solar on La Crosse Schools (SOLS) was started by several La Crosse community members passionate about advancing clean energy and enriching our schools. Switching to solar energy will help cut air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, reduce energy costs, and provide new sustainability learning resources.

As the School District of La Crosse does not currently have funds available to budget for solar projects, SOLS is continuing to fundraise in support of future solar projects, such as a proposed roof-top solar array for Northside Elementary & Coulee Montessori School. Learn more about what they’re doing and donate today.

Donate to La Crosse

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.