Madison Reporter

Three schools in the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) have recently installed new solar arrays, aiming to reduce costs, lower emissions, and offer students a practical view of renewable energy. The installations at Lori Mann Carey Elementary, La Follette High School, and West High School are projected to save the district over $46,000 annually while preventing more than 565,000 pounds of carbon emissions each year.

At Lori Mann Carey Elementary, the solar panels will offset approximately 8% of the school's yearly electricity consumption. La Follette High's system is expected to cover 20% of its energy needs, and West High's array will provide about 6%. Real-time performance data for each school's solar array can be accessed through their respective dashboards: Lori Mann Carey dashboard, West dashboard, and La Follette dashboard.

“These projects are a win for our students, our schools and our planet,” said Bryanna Krekeler, MMSD’s sustainability manager. “They demonstrate what’s possible when our community invests in sustainable infrastructure, and they give students real-world examples of how renewable energy can make a difference.”

Scott Chehak, senior executive director of building services at MMSD, highlighted the district’s environmental commitment: “Getting these systems up and running is a step toward MMSD fulfilling its promise to prioritize the implementation of clean-energy solutions in its facilities. It’s a clear demonstration of the commitment we’ve made to being a responsible steward of the environment, for current and future generations.”

Beyond reducing utility expenses, the solar arrays serve as educational resources. Students can monitor energy production and learn about environmental benefits directly linked to classroom instruction on climate change solutions.

The initiative follows a resolution adopted by the MMSD Board of Education in 2021 that set a goal for the district to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. Each new installation moves MMSD closer to this objective by demonstrating active steps toward sustainability.

The projects were funded through a facilities referendum approved by voters in 2020. This ongoing investment continues to support improvements throughout MMSD schools as part of broader efforts toward long-term sustainability.