Energy Planning for Schools - Midwest Renewable Energy Association

Helping Schools Build a Clean Energy Future

Schools don’t just teach the next generation; they can power it too. When schools invest in clean energy, they create opportunities to lower operating costs, engage students and the community in real-world projects, and foster long-term action towards sustainability.

The MREA supports Wisconsin K-12 schools and colleges in navigating the energy landscape, including renewable energy installations and efficiency upgrades, energy planning, curriculum integration, and community engagement.

Whether your school is just starting to explore energy options, or is ready to move a project forward, this page offers resources and tools to help your team take the next step.

Resources for Schools

For Energy Planning Teams

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 (“Energy Planning Teams”) throughout all stages of the solar project development process.

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 Installers

Request for Proposal (RFP)

RFP Scoring Rubric

Project Press Releases

Financial Resources

Educational Resources

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)

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.

Focus on Energy, Renew our Schools Challenge

Engage students and staff with a fun energy conservation competition focused on responsible energy use, competing against other schools for cash and prizes. Participating schools can receive up to $1,200 for an eGauge monitor that tracks energy use. Teachers get toolkits, lessons plans, and resources to support education.

https://focusonenergy.com/renewourschools

KidWind Project

Virtual and in-person renewable energy workshops, resources, and hands-on K-12 lessons to support teachers.

https://kidwind.org/events/workshops/#online

For Students:

Dane County Youth Environmental Committee
ACE Action Teams: a network of youth leaders taking action on the climate emergency
Green and Healthy Schools: register your school today no matter where you are in your green school journey
Waupaca High School Case Study, 2011 (17.28 kW)

Solar Campaigns:

Clean Energy Resolutions:

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. Explore the case studies below to learn more.

Intermediate/Elementary School Case Studies:

Cashton School District: Cashton Elementary (61 kW)
Darlington Community Schools: Darlington Elementary (156 kW)
Merton Community School District: Merton Intermediate & Merton Primary (389 kW)
Oregon School District: Forest Edge Elementary School (646 kW)
Rice Lake Area School District: Tainter Elementary, Rice Lake Middle, Rice Lake High (750 kW)
School District of Cambridge: Cambridge Elementary (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 (185.6 kW)
School District of Marshfield: Marshfield High School (7.4 kW)
School District of the Menomonie Area: Menomonie Middle School (114.8 kW)
School District of Waupaca: Waupaca High School (17.28 kW)

Technical Colleges:

Lakeshore Technical College: Cleveland Campus (20.72 kW)
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)
Milwaukee Area Technical College: Mequon & Oak Creek Campuses (680 kW)
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College: Green Bay Campus (20 kW)

Net Zero Planning

Helping Wisconsin Schools Plan for a Net Zero Future

In 2024, MREA was awarded funding from the Public Service Commisssion (PSC) and the Wisconsin Office of Energy Innovation (OEI) through the Energy Innovation Grant Program (EIGP) to help Wisconsin Schools identify energy-saving opportunities and develop customized pathways toward net zero energy. Participating schools received technical assistance designed to move energy projects from ideas to implementation. The planning process included:

Benchmarking Energy Use: Reviewing utility data, building information, and school priorities to establish a baseline to work from.
Resource Packet: Connecting schools with funding opportunities, local contractors, educational resources, and community engagement ideas.
Education and Outreach: Supporting student engagement, classroom learning, and community awareness throughout the planning process.
Net Zero Energy Pathway Report: Customized plan identifying efficiency improvements, electrification opportunities, renewable energy options, and long-term strategies.
Request for Information (RFI) Support: Helping schools gather market pricing and technical information from qualified vendors and contractors to inform projects.

Interested in Net Zero Planning for Your School?

Whether your school is beginning to explore energy improvements or is ready to develop a long-term strategic roadmap, MREA can help. Our team provides technical guidance, educational support, and planning resources to help schools reduce energy costs, improve building performance, and advance sustainability goals.

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Energy Planning for Schools Interest Form

Thanks for your interest! Please fill out as many fields as you're able so we can help most efficiently. Upon completion of this form, MREA staff will be alerted to your inquiry and reach out in 2-3 business days to start the conversation.

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Celebrating the Solar on Schools Program

The Solar on Schools program was launched in 2019 through a partnership between the MREA and the Couillard Solar Foundation to assist with and simplify the solar project development process. Since its launch in 2019, to program transition in 2026, the Solar on Schools program awarded dozens of public Wisconsin K-12 schools and colleges with in-mind module grants valued up to $20,000.

The program succeeded in reinvesting savings into brighter futures for Wisconsin K-12 students. To date, the program has installed 9.4 MW of solar on 59 Wisconsin schools with grant recipients ranging from elementary schools to technical colleges.

In addition to funding PV installations, Solar on Schools provided valuable resources for students, school staff, and community groups to encourage solar advocacy and involvement. By education school communities on the economic and environmental benefits of renewable energy, the program fostered greater awareness of the positive impact solar installations can have for Wisconsin public school districts.

With the dissolution of the Couillard Solar Foundation taking place over the next one to two years, the Solar on Schools program will be transitioned to RENEW Wisconsin, with all current grantees receiving the awards they have been presented.

Please visit RENEW Wisconsin for current Solar on Schools program information.

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