NLS Schools is one of 45 Districts in MN to receive grant from Solar for Schools program to install solar
NLS Middle and High School and Prairie Woods Elementary have added solar to help power our schools and benefit our students and community now and into the future. 80 school buildings in 45 school districts across the state are on track to or have received grants from the Minnesota Department of Commerce Solar for Schools Program (mn.gov/solar4schools) to install solar power.
We are proud to be among the first schools in Minnesota’s Solar for Schools Program to install solar panels. Solar power will help reduce our school’s energy costs, so we have more money to invest in our students. The solar install will offer hands-on learning for students. Also, our teachers will have access to tools related to solar in science, technology, engineering, math, and/or other subjects. And our students will gain insight into clean energy technology and opportunities in clean energy careers.
The Solar for Schools grant for about $240,000 will cover 100% of costs for the install of the solar panels on the rooftops of the 3 buildings as well as cover maintenance costs for 20 years. The solar installation has been completed and is currently delivering power to our schools.
Benefits of the Solar for Schools Program
Solar for Schools is designed to provide incentives for installation of solar energy systems on Minnesota public K-12 schools as well as state colleges and universities. The program offers benefits for schools, students, communities and the state, including:
- Adding solar reduces energy costs, which are the second-highest cost category for schools.
- Students will have opportunities for real-time learning about solar power and careers in the growing clean energy economy.
- Our local economy benefits from investments made in expanding our energy infrastructure, and from adding clean energy jobs, like solar installations.
- Solar power helps reduce electricity-based greenhouse gas emissions.
- Solar power adds “homegrown” renewable sources of energy to our school and the state’s electrical grid, since Minnesota currently imports 100% of its fossil fuels.
You can monitor our solar panel output by building using the following links:
For more Solar for Schools Program info: mn.gov/Solar4Schools. For more information about our School’s solar installation, please reach out to me.