Solar project atop Sauk Prairie High School reducing energy dependence
The Sauk Prairie School District is looking to improve energy efficiency and renewable output in its facilities, and a new solar project atop the high school is a major step in that direction.
Last week, district officials, along with members of nonprofit Sauk Prairie Solar Schools, an organization whose mission is to fund solar projects in the district, and representatives from energy utility companies gathered to celebrate the completion of a 302-panel solar array on the roof of the school. The project, which cost just over $650,000, was largely paid for through community donations and federal grants, along with funding from the district.
The new panels, which began powering the school in the beginning of in October, and are an addition to a small group of panels that were installed at the high school in 2016. The school district plans to install solar panels on other school facilities later this decade.
The high school project generates enough renewable electricity to power the River Arts Center addition to Leola Hall on the school's campus.
"The reason we are standing here today is to celebrate a significant step in efforts to reduce the carbon footprint, while at the same time, saving money for the school district, and partly providing a unique opportunity for students," Tom Sullivan, a member of Sauk Prairie Solar Schools, said at the Nov. 4 event.
During construction, workers from Madison-based electrical contractor Westphal and Company visited classrooms to show students how solar panels are installed and how they provide renewable electricity, district Superintendent Jeff Wright said.
"I'm grateful that we had a project that was successfully and quickly completed," Wright said. "We've already generated $2,000 worth of power in a month, which is saving the district money that we can instead spend on other student programs."
The new solar array atop the high school is expected to reduce roughly 634,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, which equates to the annual greenhouse gas emissions of roughly 68 vehicles, according to the district, which anticipates electrical savings from the project could reach more than $1.6 million.
"All the panels provide direct current - power current in one direction - and they flow into inverters that converts power to alternating current - power current that flows in different directions - that then flows through the school to their main electrical service and offsets whatever electricity that they use," said Chris Collins, solar reconstruction manager for Westphal and Company.
Wright said partnerships between the district and Westphal, energy nonprofit WPPI Energy, Sauk Prairie Solar Schools and other community businesses and donors allow the district to quickly transition into its next solar project.
Bridges Elementary School will have 407 panels and is slated to be done in 2025. Timing of additional Sauk Prairie School District solar projects has yet to be determined. Wright said additional panels could be added to the high school in future years.
Planning for the high school project began in 2023 after Sauk Prairie Solar Schools formed. Westphal began working on the project early in the summer of 2024, according to Collins.
"It's like crossing a finish line on a marathon," said Hunter Lang, a member of Sauk Prairie Solar Schools.
The federal Affordable Clean Energy Plan, which is funded through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, is contributing 30% of the project cost. Sauk Prairie Solar Schools raised an additional one-third of the funds, and the rest of the project is funded through the district.
Wright wins rural education award
Wright received the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance Administrator of the Year award on Oct. 29 for his leadership of projects such as the district's recently opened Advanced Manufacturing Lab, new greenhouse and medical training facilities, as well as helping secure an area housing development to provide affordable housing for teachers and other essential area employees.
"It was a real honor to be recognized by my peers for the work we are doing in Sauk Prairie," Wright said. "I think it was a recognition not only of what we're doing in the schools to make our school programming more positive, but also the partnership the school district has with the community in trying to address community needs."
Wright has filed candidacy to run for state superintendent of public instruction, which will be on the April 1 ballot. He and incumbent Jill Underly are the only two declared candidates in the race.
