Solar Panels at SES
SES Goes Solar
In October of 2023, SES installed 65 solar panels on the roof of our school building. After installation, students examined our energy bills and were excited to report that our new panels generate approximately 30% of our school’s energy each day (roughly $1,000 in savings each month!). Students from SES’s Green Building Literacy class teach their peers and teachers how anyone in the community can examine our energy data on an interactive dashboard called Solar Edge, enabling us to access real data to use in our coursework and reflect on how much CO2 emissions we’ve saved. SES is invested in learning more about solar energy, and taking the next steps towards Net Zero carbon emissions!
Students Applying for the Solar for Schools Grant
During the 2021-22 school year, students from SES’s Green Building Literacy class applied for a solar grant called Solar for Schools, which provides supplemental funding for school solar panels. Students connected with solar energy professionals from the University of Minnesota and individuals from the Minnesota Department of Commerce to learn about steps and challenges they faced when applying for the grant. With support from principal Lauren Hastings and science teacher Kristen. McBrien, these students worked through the application steps and were awarded $62,000 in funding through the Solar for Schools grant.
SES Hosts Solar Rally Event for State Legislators
In November 2023, a group of SES students and staff hosted a Solar Rally event in partnership with the MN Department of Commerce to showcase how schools can leverage alternative energy sources for both sustainability of school buildings, as well as opportunities for student learning. Attendees included multiple MN State Legislators, District 196’s superintendent and directors, directors from the MN Zoo, and leaders in the field of alternative energy.
Our goals for the rally where to garner support for continued state funding for school solar infrastructure and to inspire leadership about the ripple effect benefits that can come from sustainable building design and practices in a school community.
Showcasing Student-Led Projects
The implementation of solar at SES aligns with the school vision of a “thoughtful community with leaders engaging with others to create a more sustainable world”. Our community rally event gave students a chance to develop their skills by conversing with real professionals, while building and reigniting relationships with individuals connected to various sustainability projects.
Examples of what students showcased during the event included:
- SES’s student-led LEED building certification
- Teaching all students & staff how to interpret building energy data and solar production
- A student-created solar oven demo (with solar-baked cookies provided!)
- Landscape architecture designs for rainwater run-off reduction
- Best practices for reducing waste and maintaining a culture of recycling and composting
What's Ahead
Students in the Green Building Literacy course at SES plan to continue educating students on sustainable building practices. By advocating for green energy, we educate others and make a safer environment and create stronger community connections. In the future students plan to expand on our solar panel project for decreased reliance on fossil fuels and will continue to initiate alternative energy projects and education in the community!