For the City Times

CENTRAL WISCONSIN – Wisconsin schools are increasingly going solar, thanks in part to the Midwest Renewable Energy Association’s (MREA) Solar on Schools initiative.

In the program’s first year alone, 11 grants were awarded to Wisconsin schools. These projects have collectively added 1,739.4 kW of solar capacity to Wisconsin’s electrical mix, creating enough electricity to power 274 homes, and will offset the equivalent of annual greenhouse gas emissions produced by 350 passenger vehicles.

By going solar, these schools are able to offset energy costs that can be reinvested into school programming. These investments also provide a unique opportunity to expose students to careers in the growing clean energy industry by incorporating live solar energy tracking into STEM curriculum.

Central Wisconsin grant recipients include: Marshfield High School, School District of Marshfield; and Mid-State Technical College, Stevens Point campus.

Formed in partnership with the Couillard Solar Foundation in late 2019, Solar on Schools aims to help 40 Wisconsin schools realize the financial, educational, and community benefits of going solar. The program includes an in-kind module donation grant valued up to $20,000, an online resource center, as well as case studies and solar school FAQs to help schools get started. Interested schools can find out more about the program at www.midwestrenew.org/solar-on-schools. Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

MREA’s Amanda Schienebeck serves as program manager for the Solar on Schools initiative, “Solar school installations like these represent high-impact, high-visibility projects that bring the community together to collectively learn about the process and benefits of going solar. By investing in solar, passing 100 percent renewable energy resolutions, integrating energy education into curriculum, and cultivating the next generation to be leaders and have careers in the industry, schools can lead their communities into a clean energy future.”

The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) is a nonprofit educational organization.

To learn more, call 715-592-6595 or visit www.midwestrenew.org.