Wisconsin K-12 schools are going solar, thanks in part to the Midwest Renewable Energy Association’s (MREA) new Solar on Schools initiative. Formed in partnership with the Couillard Solar Foundation in late 2019, the program boldly aims to help 100 Wisconsin schools realize the financial, educational, and community benefits of going solar. Since the program’s soft launch, six schools have already participated including Merton Community School District, Madison Metropolitan School District, and the Eau Claire Area School District, with many more in earlier stages of development. 

Ronald Russ serves as Superintendent for Merton Community School District and worked with the Solar on Schools initiative to get a 389 kW PV system installed on their school. The system went online in November and is anticipated to save the district over $70,000 annually in energy costs. “Our entire experience from start to finish was fantastic. School Districts need to, at a minimum, pursue the opportunity that solar power might afford their district. After we looked at grants, the opportunity to create our own power, and the very quick return on investment, [solar] was something we could not ignore.”

To help ease the financial and informational burden involved with the solar development process, the program includes a grant valued up to $20,000, an online resource center, as well as technical assistance services. The MREA will provide all services free of charge to eligible schools. Interested schools can find out more about the program and apply for the various services at www.midwestrenew.org/solar-on-schools. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

MREA’s Amanda Schienebeck serves as Solar Program Coordinator for the Solar on Schools Initiative, “The MREA is very excited to launch the Solar on Schools initiative. Solar offers a unique way for schools to reduce their operating expenses without cutting any education programs or services. Additionally, and perhaps equally as important, schools are able to leverage the educational component of solar PV to engage and excite the next generation in renewable energy and clean energy careers.”