Solar Schools: A bright idea for education and cost savings

Imagine this headline in the near future: "All Schools in Minnesota Utilize Solar Power." Wouldn’t it be amazing if solar energy powered the education of our state’s 845,404 students? It might not be so far off.

Most schools in Minnesota do not currently have solar, but there has never been a better time for them to take advantage of clean energy opportunities. A dramatic drop in the cost of solar panels, combined with new financing choices, has now made solar widely available.

Red Wing Public Schools in Minnesota generates up to 120% of its district-wide energy consumption through a 6 MW community solar garden on school district property. The energy produced by the 15,520 solar panels is shared by the district’s six schools and the community. Over the next 25 years, the school district is projected to save $7.7 million in energy costs and to earn $1 million in lease revenue.

“It was really fun for me to go before the school board because you’re usually asking for money,” shared Kevin Johnson, Director of Buildings and Grounds with Red Wing Public Schools, and an important player for moving the solar installation forward. “It’s huge, because the millions of dollars the solar is generating goes not into my budget, but into the general budget where it can be used for books and stuff for kids.”

Chisago Lakes School District flipped the switch on five rooftop solar projects in the district along with a Community Solar subscription. The solar panel systems will not only save energy dollars but also provide science learning opportunities for students and help to meet the district’s sustainability goals.

“Chisago Lakes Schools are projected to save $3-$6 million in energy costs over the next 25 years with these solar projects. That’s a lot of car washes and bake sales,” said Pat Collins, a Science Teacher at Chisago Lakes Middle School who was instrumental in making solar happen there. “But the really great part is that the students are learning about where power comes from and how clean energy will be part of their future.”

The field and track behind Pine River-Backus High School is now home to a large solar array expected to cover about 80 percent of their electricity needs, at a discount to their typical electricity rates.

“Not only is the new solar array saving our school district money,” said Pine River-Backus Superintendent Dave Endicott, “it’s providing direct STEM educational opportunities for our students and getting them thinking about their own career opportunities in the quickly-growing clean energy industry.”