This past year, Stanley-Boyd Schools made an exciting step forward by installing a solar array that now helps power our Middle and High Schools. The project represents not only a commitment to sustainability but also a smart investment in our future.
The total cost of the project was $254,043. Thanks to partnerships and support, the district received $15,400 from Focus on Energy, a $5,000 grant from One Energy, and donated panels valued at $24,592 from Solar on Schools. In addition, we are scheduled to receive about $94,000 from a federal incentive. These contributions made the project far more affordable for our district.
The array went online on July 7, and in its first seven weeks, it has already produced 24.049 MWh of electricity. That’s enough to power about 27 average Wisconsin homes for a month, prevent nearly 17 metric tons of carbon emissions, and create the same environmental benefit as planting roughly 281 trees and letting them grow for ten years.
As a district, we already work hard to conserve electricity through efficient lighting, upgraded systems, and mindful practices. The solar array takes that commitment one step further by not only reducing our use but also producing clean energy on-site. Looking ahead, the system is expected to offset about 43% of our annual energy use in the Middle and High Schools. That means significant long-term savings while also modeling responsible energy use for our students..
This project reflects what we believe education should be: preparing our students not just for today, but for the future. By investing in renewable energy, we are demonstrating innovation, stewardship, and responsibility—all qualities we want our students to carry with them long after graduation.
Together, we are literally building a brighter future.
Go Orioles!